The late Prince Abibu Ajao Oki was born in Lagos in 1850;his father Prince Buraimoh Ajao, hailed from the Royal family of Abubakar Eleyinpo1of Ipapo, a small Emirate North of Iseyin, Oyo state, while his mother Princess Aina, was the eldest daughter of Prince Oduntan, first son of Prince Shokun, the first Ogboni Idunfata, Royal family of Onilegbale of Lagos.
Prince Abibu Ajao Oki was a foundation member of the Ansar-u-deen society of Nigeria and became patron of the society. Through extensive trading, Prince Abibu Oki came into affluence and soon earned the title of "Prince Merchant" he traded with foreign firms from Britain, Germany and other based in Lagos, the well known Damask fabric, Alagbaa and Grand Aran were first introduced to Nigeria by Prince Abibu Oki. Among stock-in-trade were Baft materials, Brass rods and beads. He moved his home from Oluwole street, Lagos to Ehingbeti area of Lagos, then to Portnovo Market street, now named after him as Abibu Oki street around 1900.
