In the Old Oyo Empire, the Ajele

In the Old Oyo Empire, the Ajele was a powerful political and administrative figure responsible for ensuring good governance of the districts under the empire's control. The Ajele acted as the king's representative in the districts and was responsible for overseeing the collection of taxes, maintaining law and order, and resolving disputes among the people. The Ajele also played an important role in the empire's economy by ensuring the safety of all trade routes within their jurisdiction. They made sure that traders were not harassed or attacked, and that the trade was conducted fairly and efficiently. This made it possible for the empire to develop a thriving economy, with a wide range of goods and services being traded across the region. While the Ajele did not lead the army, they had significant influence over the military due to their administrative and political power. They mobilized the army when necessary and were responsible for maintaining peace and security within their districts.