Once one or more candidates are chosen by the family, they are presented to a local group of kingmakers who make the final decision.
He is the head chief of the Otun quarter of Ota, and advises the Olota on issues affecting his community.
The family head presents candidates to six Kingmakers: the Odota, the Odofin, the Aro, the Olori of Otun, the Oluwo, and the Balogun of Otu.
[3] The title Onikosi is a shortened form of Oniko-Osi, which means "Representative of Osi" in the Yoruba language.
He is the head chief of the Osi quarter, and advises the Olota on issues affecting his community.
[4] The Akogun is equal in rank to the Onikosi, and is the head chief of the Oruba quarter of Ota.
He conducts the inauguration ceremonies of the four quarter chiefs and is also responsible for performing traditional Yoruba rituals at the Ojudinobi grove.
[6] The Lisa is one of the most important officers in the Ogboni secret society, and makes vital decisions in the day-to-day running of the group.
Before the introduction of Western-style laws, he also played a major part of the justice system in Ota.
The Odota also cares for several Yoruba shrines including Bata Erin, Apesefun, Awurela, and Orisa Ara.
[citation needed] Two ruling houses produce candidates for the Odota: the Odo-Idota and Oke-Idota.
[11] The Bada of Ota hails from the Obawole family in Iga Idire, located within the Osi quarters.
Notably, the Bada of Ota stands as the progenitor and historical leader of Ifako in Lagos.
These chiefs, led by the Onikosi, subsequently present the chosen candidate to the Olota for final approval.
[13] The Olota and his council of chiefs may choose to recognise members of the public for exceptional service to the community in some way.
These titles are non-hereditary and can even be bestowed upon people who are not Nigerian, such as Oloye Michael Hamilton, the Baasalu of Ota, who is British.