For most public figures, receiving a traditional title is a lifetime achievement. It is a community’s highest expression of gratitude, reserved for individuals whose lives and service have left an enduring imprint on the people.
For Otunba Senator Engr. Gbenga Daniel, FNSE, FAEng, however, the story is remarkably different.
Over four decades of public service, engineering excellence, entrepreneurship, philanthropy and political leadership have earned the former Governor of Ogun State and Senator representing Ogun East an unprecedented 114 traditional chieftaincy titles from royal fathers and communities across Nigeria.
The honours stretch from Ile-Ife, the cradle of Yoruba civilisation, to the kingdoms of Remo, Ijebu, Egba, Yewa, Owu, Awori and Ikale, while extending beyond the South-West into Edo, Imo and Igbo communities, making Daniel one of Nigeria’s most decorated traditional title holders.
Each title tells its own story. Some celebrate his contributions to community development. Others acknowledge his support for education, culture, religion, peace-building and infrastructure. Together, they paint the portrait of a leader whose influence extends beyond politics into the traditional institutions that remain custodians of Nigeria’s heritage.
The Complete Roll of Honours
The traditional titles conferred on Otunba Senator Engr. Gbenga Daniel include:
Fesojoye of Ile-Ife
Aare Asoludero of Makun, Sagamu
Otunba Adeoti of Omu, Ijebuland
Otunba Obalofin of Ijebuland
Arole of Remoland
Olu Nla of Egbaland
Oga Nla of Yewaland
Aare Ajibosin of Owu Kingdom
Asoju Oba of Ijesaland
Aemenre of Iuleha, Edo State
Oke-Osisi of Obinugwu, Imo State
Enyi-di-Ora-Nma I of Ndigbo
Fiwajoye of Ipokia
Akinrogun of Iro (Oniro Ipokia)
Amayederun of Iraniken, Sagamu
Asalu of Ibido, Sagamu
Akorewolu of Ilodo, Ijebu
Atobase of Irolu Remo
Kiniun of Ilara, Remo
Otunba Majeobaje of Ilaporu
Ogidi Omo of Odolewa
Otunba Rojugbuwa of Ijagba
Otunba Fiwajoye of Ilupeju Legunsen, Sagamu
Otunba Atayese of Ode Remo
Tayese of Oke-Odanland
Jagunmolu of Ejila Aworiland
Jiradeto (Alatunse) of Ere
Baaloro of Owode
Apagunpote of Oba Obafemi
Bobaselu of Iro
Gbobaniyi of Iwopin
Mayegun of Egun Community in Ifo
Mayetoro of Ifo
Mayegun of Ewekoro
Otunba Mayegun of Ibiade
Adimula of Aiyede in Ikaleland
Baba Egbe Jagunmolu of Ikile Ijebu
Otunba Atunluto of Abigi-Waterside
Fesojoye of Odo-Arawa
Otunba Atunluse of Ogbere
Obaloro of Aiyepe
Akogun of Okun Owa
Aare Muludun of Ijesha-Ijebu
Asiwaju of Remoland
Arole of Remoland
Atunluse of Idofa
Bobatolu of Aiyetoro
Baaselu of Joga-Orile
Bobagunwa of Gbagura
Bashorun of Epe
Gbobaniyi of Oke-Ona
Okanlomo of Owode-Yewa
Aare Atayese of Isara
Asiwaju Onigbagbo of Remo
Omoluabi of Imasayi
Apesin of Ogere
Aare Ori Ade of Iperu Akesan
Bobagunwa of Ilugun South
Adimula of Ketuland
Mayegun of Kwara, Ekitiland
Aare Atayese of Agbaraland
Aare Awolumate of Idogo Land
Otunba Gbeluga of Enyinwa
Otunba Foluseye of Odosenlu Alaro-Ijebu
Otunba Atobase of Iworo-Ijebu
Mayegun of Ososa
Awise of Akute Land
Amuludun Adeen of Ikija Muslim Community
Aare Onigbagbo of Ilaro
Balogun of Egbe Bobakeye Ijebu Land
Aremo Olokine of Ojowo
Ogboye of Isaga-Orile
Baba Egbe Tobalase Obinrin Akile Ijebu
Mayegun of Agbekoya
Otunba Fidipote of Emuren
Aare Jagunmolu of Ilugun North, Ijebu
Agbaakin of Ago-Iwoye
Asiwaju Awo of Isara
Fiwajoye of Ile-Ife
Olu-Oba of Imekoland
Okoesisi of Ayetoro
Opomulero of Itori
Otunba Atayese of Ikija Ijebu
Aare Anikiaye of Ijebu Mushin
Aare Ajidara of Ipokia
Arogun of Ilaro
Otunba Tayese of Awa-Ijebu
Otunba Aroyewun of Oke-Sopen
Otunba Ademoyegun of Idowa
Atunluse of Odo-Jobore
Amuludun of Ikija
Ogungugbuja of Itansin-Imobi
Atobase of Iworoland
Erinla of Igbeseland
Baasalu of Ilogboland
Atuonase of Iyesiland
Akin-Omo of Koko-Ibiye
Agbonrandun of Igbesa Land
Otunba Gbeluga of Eyinwa
Otunba Soludero of Eyinwa
Otunba Mayegun of Ilese
Baajiki of Ilobi Land
Aare Awolumatade of Idogo
Akogun of Ilaro
Otunba Atayese of Awa-Ijebu
Otunba Badejoko of Isonyin
Asiwaju of South West
Arobake of Ogun State
Awise of Akute Land
Enyi-di-Ora-Nma I of Ndigbo
Oga Nla of Yewa Land
Mayegun of Yoruba Land
Atayese of Isara-Remo
Olu Nla of Egba Land
The breadth of these honours reflects a public career that has resonated across kingdoms, communities and ethnic nationalities. While political offices have defined different phases of his career, these traditional honours tell another story—one of enduring relationships with communities and the confidence reposed in him by royal fathers across Nigeria.
Few contemporary Nigerians can point to a record of recognition that spans so many traditional institutions. Collectively, these 114 titles constitute not merely ceremonial honours but a lasting testament to a lifetime of service, leadership and community impact.
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