African king, the greatest warrior-king of Benin (in modern Nigeria). Ozolua was able to extend the boundaries of Benin from the Niger River in the east virtually to Lagos in the west. Tradition calls him the first ruler in West Africa to have had contact with the Portuguese explorers who were then exploring the western coast of sub-Saharan Africa.

The youngest son of another great Benin ruler, Ewuare the Great, Ozolua embarked on his systematic reduction of surrounding peoples from the moment he was named oba (king) in 1481. Known as “the Conqueror,” he is said to have consolidated the area he subjugated by a complicated network of marriage and diplomatic obligations. He encouraged trade with the Portuguese (c. 1500) and allowed them to establish missionary stations.