Aya Oba is a Yoruba phrase that literally translates to “Wife of the King.”

It is broken down as follows:

• Aya means “wife.”
• Ọba means “King” or “ruler.”

Therefore, Aya Oba is a term used to refer to a Queen Consort or a King’s wife in Yoruba culture.

The more common and formal title for a Queen Consort is often Ọlọ́rì (Olori), but Ayaba (a contraction of Aya Ọba) is also a title used, particularly for a king’s wife who is of royal or noble lineage herself.