Reign c. 1780 - 1806 Successor Adele Ajosun Burial Benin House Ado | Predecessor Eletu Kekere Died c. 1803
Lagos Parents Alaagba | |
Issue Eshinlokun, Adele Ajosun, Akiolu, Olukoya, Olusi and Akitoye. Children Akitoye, Adele Ajosun, Osinlokun Grandchildren Kosoko, Dosunmu, Oluwole, Idewu Ojulari | ||
Ologun Kutere reigned as Oba of Lagos from around the 1780s to around 1803. He succeeded Oba Eletu Kekere who reigned between 1775 and 1780. Ologun Kutere was the son of Alaagba, a traditional adviser to Oba Akinsemoyin and Erelu Kuti. He was one of the earliest successors to the throne through a matrilineal line.
Life
Kutere's father was a famous medicine man in Lagos during the middle 1700s. During his reign, trade between Lagos and Ijebu increased, the Ijebu's brought food stuff in exchange of salt, tobacco and spirits, products obtained from Portuguese slave traders. He also made trade policies that was favorable to many businesses including slave traders. He introduced less regulation and low taxes which enabled Lagos to become a rival port city to Ouidah. It was during his era that the French banned slave trade after the French Revolution which made it more difficult for slave traders in Porto Novo but more favorable to those in Lagos. The city's population grew from an estimated population of 5,000 in the 1780s to 20,000 by the 1810s. Kutere enhanced the military power of Lagos based on a utilizing a large fleet of war canoes that launched a successful attack on Badagry.
Kutere had many children among whom were future Obas, Eshinlokun, Adele Ajosun, and Akitoye. Other children included Akiolu, Olukoya, and Olusi.