After her death, her estate numbered more than 300 slaves (even though slavery was forbidden). She was the wife of the fiery Oba and kingmaker (ELETU ODIBO). It defied the British and supplied arms and ammunition during Abeokuta’s war with Dahomey. She died childless but gave his name to countless people who today bear the name Tinubu.
His parents were originally from Owu but migrated to Abeokuta during the internal conflicts that rocked Yorubaland in the 18th and 19th centuries. Madam Efunroye married Oba Adele after losing her first husband in Abeokuta. Adele was the deposed king of Eko (Lagos).
She returned to Abadagiri (Badagry) with him and became a slave trader there. The Portuguese found in her a shrewd businesswoman who always struck a hard bargain.
Returning to Eko when Adele was reinstated, Tinubu threw herself into the intrigues of the royal family and supported different claimants of the throne in the years after her husband’s death. Madam Tinubu also played a key role in the coronation of the first monarchs of Abeokuta.
The legend of Tinubu survived after his death and was perpetuated by the Nigerian government, which named Tinubu Square after him (the land was originally his!).
Note: This is a historical documentation, we do not mention anyone on this page for appraisal neither is Madam Tinubu affiliated to President Tinubu.
