The kingdom survived during and after the colonial period, but with a largely symbolic role Osemawe rules through 6 leading High Chiefs namely.
With the expansion of the Atlantic slave trade and large-scale population displacement in Yorubaland, the political life of the Ondo Kingdom changed.
Prior to the 19th century, Ondo was unusual in the region for their council system and or the relatively open land tenure principles.
Political and economic power changed from hereditary lineage and access to land holdings to be focused primarily on slaveholdings.
[3] During this period, worship of Orisha spread widely, leading to human sacrifice (often of slaves) in order to try to end the disorder.
This may have been because some missionaries thought that the Ondo were socially lower than other Yoruba tribes, perhaps because their custom of concubinage was unacceptable in the Christian tradition.
[9] In 1899 an order in council was issued to extend the Lagos protectorate over Yoruba land, making Ondo formally subject to the British crown.
[10] The kingdom survived under colonial rule and subsequent independence, and the coronation of the 44th Osemawe, Oba Victor Adesimbo Ademefun Kiladejo, on 29 December 2008 was a major event, attended by many dignitaries.