History of Africa usually governed by an "oba" and an "iwarefa", a council of chiefs who advised the "oba." by the 18th century, the Yoruba city-states formed a loose confederation, with the "Oni" of Ife as the head and Ife as the capital. As time went on, the individual city-states became more powerful with their "obas" assuming more powerful spiritual positions and diluting the authority of the "Oni" of Ife. Rivalry became intense among the city-states. The Oyo Empire rose in the 16th century. The Oyo state had been conquered in 1550 by the kingdom of Nupe, which was in possession of cavalry,
History of the Yoruba people site of earth creation in the Yoruba mythology. As Oduduwa migrated to Ile-Ife, he had a son and he became the first ruler for the Oyo empire. The Oyo kingdom has subjugated the kingdom of Dahomey. It traded with European merchants on the coast through Ajase. The wealth of the town increased and as well as political leaders wealth increased. This was not resolved till Abiodun went against his opponents in a bitter civil war and had a rule for economic development based on the trade with European merchants. The downfall of the kingdom came as Abiodun became concerned with