By Ajibola Olatoye

Madam Efunporoye Osuntinubu was of Owu descent from Abeokuta. She was not involved with Egba war with Dahomey as a result of banishment from Lagos as some people posited. Rather, it was her exploits that endeared her to Oba Akitoye, who was in exile in Abeokuta. This is what happened.

Oba Akitoye of Lagos abdicated the throne in favour of Oba Kosoko when the latter waged war against the former in 1845. Between 1845 and 1849, Akitoye was in Abeokuta on exile. While in Abeokuta, the Dahomey army made their first attempt to capture Abeokuta under King Gbeho (or something, I can’t really recollect the name). Madam Tinubu as the number one patriot of Egbaland in her time then released all her slaves to be enlisted into Egba army to defend her homeland as well as using her slave-trading connections to procure arms and ammunition for the army.

Her exploits endeared her to Oba Akitoye whose mum was also of Owu extraction just like Madam Tinubu. He then proposed to marry her which she didn’t decline.

Through her connections and recommendations, Oba Akitoye got linked with the British Squadron at Badagry (Badagry at this time was under Egba Suzerainty). With the promise to return him to the throne in Lagos provided he would be willing to support them in their quest to put an end to Slave Trade, the British Squadron then bombarded Lagos in what is known in history as Ogun Awoyaya or British Bombardment of Lagos in 1851. Kosoko withdrew to Epe with his supporters and Oba Akitoye was returned to Lagos as the substantive king of Eko and Madam Tinubu followed him to Lagos.

In appreciation for her role in the return of Akitoye to the throne, she became the de-facto ruler on the throne. She forgo slave trading as it was part of the agreement with the British Squadron before the military ‘assistance’ and delved into legitimate trade. It was not long before her business boomed due to her trading acumen and prowess but her success soon drew jealousy and hatred among the indigenes.

When Akitoye died in 1854 or thereabout, his son, Oba Dosumu, ascended the throne. The indigenes then utilised the opportunity to deal with Madam Tinubu and sent her packing, claiming that her husband had died and she didn’t have any child for the late king so could not lay claim to any royalty. She didn’t return to Abeokuta but to a part of modern Lagos State known as Abule Egba (Egba Village) which was existing in a cluster of small villages scattered around Agege, Agbado/Oke-Odo, Alimosho and Ojokodo LGAs of Lagos State where she died in the wee years of the 19th century.

A movie is about to be released about the woman produced by Fathia Balogun. Watch out.

Olatoye Jibola Ganiu
History Teacher
Command Day Secondary School,
Nyangoa Baracks,
Abeokuta.
07054043435
Jibolatoye78@gmail.com