The Gallery holds the most extensive collection of portraits in the world. Search over 215,000 works, 150,000 of which are illustrated from the 16th Century to the present day.

Advanced Collection search

Search the Collection

Amodu Tijani, Chief Oluwa of Lagos

, Foreign dignitary

Sitter in 4 portraits
Tijani was an Idejo Chief who controlled a series of villages and towns in the Lagos area. He held strong nationalist views, arguing that the British colonial government had no authority to interfere with the Oba's (ruler of Lagos) rule. In 1920, Oluwa and Nigerian nationalist Herbert Macaulay visited the Privy Council in London to defend the Oba's right of ownership to land appropriated by the British Government. The Council ruled in their favour. This case proved to be a landmark in Nigerian history as it recognised the Chiefs as absolute owners of the land. Songs and poems were later composed in Oluwa's honour.

Tell us More

 Like voting
is closed

Thanks for Liking

Please Like other favourites!
If they inspire you please support our work.

Make a donation

List Thumbnail

Amodu Tijani, Chief Oluwa of Lagos, by Bassano Ltd - NPG x84007

Amodu Tijani, Chief Oluwa of Lagos

by Bassano Ltd
bromide print, 12 July 1920
NPG x84007

Amodu Tijani, Chief Oluwa of Lagos, by Bassano Ltd - NPG x75017

Amodu Tijani, Chief Oluwa of Lagos

by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 12 July 1920
NPG x75017

Amodu Tijani, Chief Oluwa of Lagos, by Bassano Ltd - NPG x75018

Amodu Tijani, Chief Oluwa of Lagos

by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 12 July 1920
NPG x75018

Amodu Tijani, Chief Oluwa of Lagos, by Bassano Ltd - NPG x75019

Amodu Tijani, Chief Oluwa of Lagos

by Bassano Ltd
whole-plate glass negative, 12 July 1920
NPG x75019

Category

Groups

Place

Tell us more back to top

Can you tell us more about this person? Spotted an error, information that is missing (a sitter’s life dates, occupation or family relationships, or a date of portrait for example) or do you know anything that we don't know? If you have information to share please complete the form below.

If you require information from us, please use our Archive enquiry service. You can buy a print of most illustrated portraits. Select the portrait of interest to you, then look out for a Buy a Print button. Prices start at £6 for unframed prints, £25 for framed prints. If you wish to license an image, please use our Rights and Images service.

Please note that we cannot provide valuations.

We digitise over 8,000 portraits a year and we cannot guarantee being able to digitise images that are not already scheduled.

Princess Oyeyinka Oluwa

12 June 2019, 21:49

I am proud to tell you that this charismatic royalty is my great grand father.

What can you tell us?close

There are occasions when we are unsure of the identity of a sitter or artist, their life dates, occupation or have not recorded their family relationships. Sometimes we have not recorded the date of a portrait. Do you have specialist knowledge or a particular interest about any aspect of the portrait or sitter or artist that you can share with us? We would welcome any information that adds to and enhances our information and understanding about a particular portrait, sitter or artist.

Citationclose

How do you know this? Please could you let us know your source of information.

* Permission to publish (Privacy information)
Privacy Informationclose

The National Portrait Gallery will NOT use your information to contact you or store for any other purpose than to investigate or display your contribution. By ticking permission to publish you are indicating your agreement for your contribution to be shown on this collection item page. Please note your email address will not be displayed on the page nor will it be used for any marketing material or promotion of any kind.

Please ensure your comments are relevant and appropriate. Your contributions must be polite and with no intention of causing trouble. All contributions are moderated.

Your Emailclose

Contributions are moderated. We'll need your email address so that we can follow up on the information provided and contact you to let you know when your contribution has been published.