The Warri Kingdom is situated in the heart of Nigeria’s oil-producing Niger Delta, a region whose petroleum wealth has helped fuel one of Africa’s largest economies for decades.
But many surrounding communities lack basic infrastructure, clean drinking water, schools and healthcare.
“The kingdom sadly suffers from what I call the resource curse,” the queen consort, Olori Atuwatse III, told CNN’s Larry Madowo.
“Everything is taken out, but nothing is developed.”
When Tsola Emiko ascended to the throne as Ogiame Atuwatse III, becoming the 21st “Olu” or king of Warri in 2021, he and his wife set out to reshape what a modern monarchy could look like.
The king established the Office of the Olori, creating an official platform for the queen to lead development initiatives focused on women, children and education.
“I didn’t embrace it with glamour,” she said. “What I felt was weight. What I felt was responsibility … a responsibility to use this platform of privilege to serve.”
The king and queen consort set up the Royal Iwere Foundation in 2021 which now focuses on three pillars: education, empowerment, and the environment. That approach has produced programs ranging from STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) education and environmental projects to entrepreneurship initiatives created to help women develop sustainable businesses. Together, they point toward one goal.
“Everything really is centered around human capital development,” Olori Atuwatse III said.
King of the Kingdom of Warri and the 21st Olu of Warri (2nd R) and his wife, queen consort Olori Ivie Atuwatse III (center) leave Westminster Abbey, in London, on March 13, 2023 at the end of the Commonwealth Day service ceremony.Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images
Speaking at a graduation ceremony for EstablishHer, a six-month business and leadership program set up by the foundation, in March, Olori Atuwatse III said since launching, 44 participants had formally registered businesses, while others had secured new clients, expanded operations and gained access to mentorship, professional networks and financing. The foundation also announced a 150-million-naira loan facility, or about $110,000, to help women grow their businesses.
“Our biggest resource is our human resource,” Olori Atuwatse III told CNN. “My vision, my hope is to build our people so that they can build our communities.”
Changing the narrative
For the queen, economic development begins long before someone starts a business.
“To really change anything, we must first change how we think — not just what we think,” she said.
She learned that lesson personally.
The queen has spoken publicly on experiencing postpartum anxiety after the birth of her son, in 2018 describing the experience as a “mental breakthrough” that changed her understanding of purpose and leadership. It now shapes how she approaches everything from youth development to women’s empowerment.
That philosophy extends beyond the Warri Kingdom.
Through the Elevate Africa Fellowship — a 10-month mentoring program for mid-career professionals, she and her husband founded — Olori Atuwatse III has committed $1 million to developing emerging African leaders, arguing that collaboration across the continent is essential for long-term progress.
She also hopes to change the way Africans see themselves.
Building more than a kingdom
Olori Atuwatse III says the work isn’t simply about improving one community.
It’s about helping change how Africans — and the rest of the world — see the continent.
“We must begin to elevate Africa across the continent,” she said. “We cannot just elevate Nigeria in isolation.”
For the queen, the legacy she hopes to leave behind is not one measured in barrels of crude, but in confident, empowered people.
“We don’t believe that Africa is a problem to be solved,” she said. “We believe Africa is rich. Africa is resilient. African excellence needs to be amplified.”
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