Jaja of Opobo was a nationalist, merchant prince,
successful businessman and founder of Opobo
city-state, now a part of Rivers state in the Niger
Delta region of Nigeria. He was known for his
astute business, political and military skills.
Brought to Bonny Kingdom as a slave boy, Jaja of
Opobo rose through life ranks to rule as a King
and stood up to European imperialists when it was
necessary.
Background
Jaja was of Igbo descent and given the name
Mbanaso Ukwaraozurumba. His exact date of birth
is unknown but is presumed to be around 1821 in
Umuduora Amaigbo (present day Orlu region, Imo
State), Nigeria. Jaja was sold as a slave at the
age of twelve in Bonny and was named Jubo
Jubogha by his master and later renamed as Jaja
by the British. He grew up learning the Ijaw values
and practices of his new home and maximized the
limited opportunities as slave to quickly grasp his
master’s trade of oil palm, subsequently garnering
invaluable business skills and acumen.


Jaja was resold by his Bonny slave master to Chief
Alali, the head of the Opubo Anna Pepple Royal
House; a sociopolitical institution functioning as
the unit of a city-state. He settled quite well and
soon became leader of the royal house overseeing
the administration of its affairs.
The royal house grew in size and influence over the
years, absorbing many other trade houses in the
region. A dispute between the Anna Pepple and
Manilla Pepple Houses forced Jaja and the Anna
Pepple House to break away and establish Opobo
city-state in 1869. Jaja declared himself King Jaja
of Opobo, independent of Bonny.
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