History of Nigeria city-states. A state council (the "Oyo Mesi") named the "Alaafin" (king) and acted as a check on his authority. Their capital city was situated about 100 km north of present-day Oyo. Unlike the forest-bound Yoruba kingdoms, Oyo was in the savanna and drew its military strength from its cavalry forces, which established hegemony over the adjacent Nupe and the Borgu kingdoms and thereby developed trade routes farther to the north. The Benin Empire (1440–1897; called "Bini" by locals) was a pre-colonial African state in what is now modern Nigeria. It should not be confused with the modern-day country called Benin,
Kisi, Oyo Kisi, Oyo Kisi (or Kishi) is a large town in Oyo State, Nigeria. It is the headquarters of the Irepo Local Government Area. Kisi is located at the northern part of Oyo state and is the headquarters of Irepo local government. Kisi is an extension of old Oyo-Ile which was collapsed in the 18th century as a result of Jihad activity by the Hausa/Fulani of Ilorin, Kwara state. Kisi is about 250km from Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo state, and about 150km from Oyo Alafin. The town has an official post office. Historically, different tribes such as the Baruba,