This photo illustrates the invasion of the Oyo empire in 1457 by Tsoede of Nupe (A kingdom in what is known today as Northern Nigeria). It was a brutal war that led to the fall of the Oyo kingdom.

This photo illustrates the invasion of the Oyo empire in 1457 by Tsoede of Nupe (A kingdom in what is known today as Northern Nigeria). It was a brutal war that led to the fall of the Oyo kingdom.

The then Alaafin of Oyo, Onigbogi, knowing that he had lost the fight, fled to Ibariba (Modern-day Kwara). For 85 years, the Yorubas lost control of Oyo until the kingdom was reclaimed in 1542 by Alafin Ofinran.

POV:

Oyo and Ibariba people had always been close allies, fighting side by side. Also, most Northern and Western kingdoms were in continuous fights. Today's South East and South-South regions never had much or any confrontations with the West or North except for trade.

The cooperation between West and North today became more healthy in subsequent years, especially after the British took over. In addition, fighting someone for a long time typically leads to a better relationship after settlement over those you haven't known.

Oyo Empire, later became powerful again and even more powerful than before and expanded its influence by annexing the same Nupe for a long period where they had to pay tributes annually in form of agricultural produce and respect. The territorial power of Oyo extended to Dahomey, where they established control. However, this expansionist agenda faced significant challenges with the eruption of the Yoruba Civil Wars in 1820. These conflicts lasted for a staggering 73 years, marking a tumultuous period of internal strife and instability within the Yoruba region. This long period of war was among the major reason the Yorubas later came together as one.