| Aṣípa | |
|---|---|
| 1st Oba of Lagos | |
| Oba of Lagos | |
| Reign | c. 1682 – c. 1716 [1] |
| Successor | Ado |
| Born | Ashipa (Yoruba: Aṣípa) Isheri Olofin, Aworiland |
| Died | 1716 Lagos |
| Burial | |
| Issue | Ado |
| House | House of Olofin |
| Father | Unknown |
| Religion | Ifá |
Ashipa, the founder of the Lagos royal dynasty but uncrowned as Oba of Lagos, [2] whom all Obas of Lagos trace their lineage to, [3] was an Awori Chieftain from Isheri. Ashipa was rewarded with title of Oloriogun (war chief) after returning the body of one Asheru, a Benin war captain to Benin [4] [5] and received the Oba of Benin's sanction to govern Lagos. [6] Some Benin accounts of history have the Ashipa as son or grandson of the Oba of Benin. [7] According to the Lagos traditional account however, Ashípa (Yoruba: Aṣípa) was a local native, an Awori Yoruba chieftain of Isheri.
Ashipa received a sword and royal drum as symbols of authority from the Oba of Benin on his mission to Lagos. Additionally, the Oba of Benin deployed a group of Benin officers charged with preserving Benin's interests in Lagos. These officers, led by Eletu Odibo, were the initial members of the Akarigbere class of Lagos White Cap Chiefs. [5]