The Yoruba Confederacy refers to a historical alliance of various Yoruba states in what is now southwestern Nigeria. This confederacy emerged in the 19th century as a response to external threats, particularly from the British colonial forces and rival ethnic groups. It aimed to unify the Yoruba people for mutual defense and political cooperation. Key states within the confederacy included Oyo, Ife, and Ijebu. Each state maintained its own local governance but collaborated on matters of common interest. The confederacy played a significant role in shaping the political landscape of the Yoruba people and their resistance to colonial rule.