@historylovers_001: By the late 14th century, Oyo had developed into a formidable inland Yoruba power, expanding at the expense of neighbouring states. However, during the reign of Alaafin Onigbogi in the early 16th century, Oyo suffered military defeats at the hands of the Nupe. Nupe One of the strongest kingdoms in the History of West Africa .. Around 1535, according to a chronology proposed by historian Robert S. Smith, the Nupe captured Oyo-Ile, forcing Onigbogi and the ruling dynasty into exile in the Borgu region. Oyo-Ile was abandoned, and the dynasty entered an interregnum that lasted roughly 80 years. During this period, the exiled rulers established a new centre at Oyo-Igboho. When Oyo was re-established, it emerged with a more centralized political structure and greater ambitions than before. By the 17th century, Oyo entered a period of expansion and became one of the powers of West Africa. Several factors contributed to its growth, including fertile agricultural lands, a reorganized government, the skills of its people, trans-Saharan trade connections, and the tributes collected from territories under its influence. Oyo’s authority extended over a territory. Its rulers became powerful enough that neighbouring kingdoms sometimes appealed to Oyo to settle disputes or intervene in political conflicts. Oyo responded with military force, particularly through its cavalry, contributing to the fear and respect surrounding the empire. Its tributary influence reached several coastal kingdoms connected to the Atlantic slave trade. Yet Oyo never controlled all Yoruba-speaking peoples, and its political influence changed over time. The history of Oyo is therefore not a story of conquest. It is also a story of defeat, exile, rebuilding, political transformation and expansion. The kingdom that was driven from its capital returned stronger and became one of the most influential states in Yoruba and West African history. Read more Kingdoms and empires histories in our book Untold Chronicles, the stories that wasn’t taught in schools. Send a DM for your hardcopy 📕 WhatsApp 09010030287 E-copy link is available in our BIO 🔗 #Historylovers

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Thursday 17 September 2026 08:03:25 GMT