In a country where traditional institutions often clash with contemporary values, Olori Atuwatse III represents a rare bridge. She is deeply spiritual, openly Christian, and often speaks about how faith grounds her in both purpose and patience. In doing so, she has carved a new path, one that honours the past while embracing the promise of the future. Through it all, she remains a Queen in service, not just to a throne, but to a people.

“My identity does not change. It is the one God has always given me. What changes are the assignments, the spaces, and the offices He ordains for me to function in.” — Olori Ivie Atuwatse III

A name in meaning and purpose

Ivie, in the Edo language, means ‘coral bead’ or ‘precious bead’. Olori Ivie Atuwatse III, no doubt, is not only a ‘precious’ being, but many things to many people. A visionary woman with a heart for humanity, social enterprise, education, and capacity building for women and children.

Olori Atuwatse III hails from one of Nigeria’s most respected families. Her father, the late Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo, was a business magnate and philanthropist.

Born into a lineage of strength and vision, Olori Atuwatse III has gracefully stepped into her role not only as the wife of Ogiame Atuwatse III, the Olu of Warri, but also as a cultural custodian and a champion for community empowerment.

Her marriage to Prince Utieyinoritsetsola Emiko in 2014 marked a turning point in her journey, and when her husband ascended the throne as Ogiame Atuwatse III in August 2021, Olori stepped into a role steeped in centuries of tradition, a role which changed her compassion and empathy towards the less privileged in society, a trait she obviously inherited from her late father, Wells Okunbo.

Her reign as Olori is marked by quiet power, rooted in faith, and fueled by a passion for progress, particularly for women and children. “My identity does not change. It is the one God has always given me. What changes are the assignments, the spaces, and the offices He ordains for me to function in,” she says.

Building blocks

Olori Ivie Atuwatse III earned a law degree from the London School of Economics and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2010. She is a member of the CIARB Nigeria and has certifications from the Nigerian Chambers of Commerce and the Chambers of Maritime.

From the fashion label, Colour Couture, which she co-founded with a friend while at the university, to Breakfast in Bed, a first-of-its-kind breakfast delivery company in Lagos, Nigeria, which she established after graduation, her life has always reflected both creativity and entrepreneurial flair. She stands as a reminder that true influence is measured by impact.

Yet, despite her embrace of modern strategies, she remains rooted in tradition. As Queen Consort, Olori Atuwatse III takes part in age-old Itsekiri ceremonies, often adorned in coral beads and traditional fabrics.

Locals call her “Mama Iwere,” and not just out of courtesy. In a kingdom once defined by hierarchy and distance, she has built an image of warmth and accessibility. She has been spotted reading to children under trees, distributing sanitary products to girls, and encouraging local artisans to pursue global markets.

Olori’s influence has extended far beyond Warri. Her recent tours to the United States and the United Kingdom were not only diplomatic; they were deeply personal. In cities like Atlanta and London, she met with African diaspora communities, forging new alliances and exploring ways to connect global Africans to their roots.

Her grace is not just in how she carries herself, but in how she lifts others. In a world where royal titles often conjure images of tradition and protocol, Her Majesty Olori Atuwatse III, Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom in Nigeria, is redefining what it means to wear the crown.

With poise, intellect, and a deep spiritual foundation, she stands as a beacon of modern royalty, one that blends heritage with heart and tradition with transformation.

Redefining african queenship

In October 2024, Her Majesty Olori Atuwatse III became the first African Royal woman to receive the Freedom of the City of London. In the grand Guildhall, before British dignitaries and African well-wishers, she accepted the rare honour with poise. But for the Queen Consort of the Warri Kingdom, it was more than ceremonial. It was a call to continue uplifting communities, particularly across Africa.

Whether addressing women’s empowerment, spiritual renewal, or youth development, Olori Atuwatse III is known for her eloquence and clarity of purpose. Her words are laced with wisdom that resonates far beyond palace walls. She embodies a rare combination of regal dignity and compassionate activism, earning her admiration across social and generational lines.

As a mother of the Iwere people domiciled in the Southern District of Delta State, her campaign for their healing and revival is noteworthy, and she has thus established initiatives targeted at alleviating poverty, illiteracy, and infant mortality in the Warri Kingdom.

A philanthropist of no limit, she founded Abba’s Jewels, a community of over 60 women who, together, raise funds to impact the community through outreaches, food drives, and hospital and prison visits. She is also the convener of The Love Drive, a free yard sale that started in Lagos, Nigeria.

As the President of RIG Africa, a prophetic training organisation, she trains people to hear God for themselves and move closer to Him in ways that are practical and applicable to everyday life and work.

Philanthropy and community impact

Her primary avenue for impact is the Royal Iwere Foundation, a vehicle for social intervention projects that target health, education, and economic empowerment.

Through the Royal Iwere Foundation, she brings medical care, skills training, and educational outreach to hard-to-reach riverine villages in the Warri Kingdom. These communities, often lacking basic infrastructure, now benefit from periodic visits that deliver hope, healing, and opportunity.

At the heart of her mission is the empowerment of women. The Establish HER programme, founded under her guidance, offers grants and mentoring for female entrepreneurs across Nigeria.

Through her various charitable efforts and developmental initiatives, Her Majesty has become a voice of hope and healing. She is especially focused on restoring the family unit, encouraging kingdom values, and nurturing spiritual growth. Her message is simple yet powerful: true transformation begins from within and radiates outward into families, communities, and ultimately, nations.

One of her initiatives, Wuwu Ore, was officially founded in 2021 with the primary aim of providing free healthcare, education, and skilling for indigent children in the remotest parts of the kingdom, as well as empowerment, sensitisation, and training for women and youth in the communities to improve living conditions and trigger socio-economic development.

The Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo STEM and Innovation Lab is another of her initiatives, in partnership with CleverMinds Educational Foundation.

The initiative, located in Iyara Community, will groom orphans and indigent children in Warri and environs to reach their full potential by exposing them to the innovative world of STEM-based quality education, entrepreneurial skills and psychosocial support.

The Royal Iwere Foundation (RIF) is the Chief Project of Olori and Ogiame Atuwatse III that seeks to transform the socio-economic conditions of indigenes through formal and informal education, mentorship programmes, and funding for upcoming and fresh entrepreneurs.

The Foundation also provides disaster relief packages to all the communities within the kingdom prone to flooding and other critical situations. 

‘A legacy of education and empowerment’

A builder at heart, Olori Atuwatse III is determined to leave a legacy of education and empowerment in the Iwere Kingdom, Nigeria and beyond.

In an age where influence is often measured by followers and trends, Olori Atuwatse III stands as a reminder that true influence is measured by impact. Her grace is not just in how she carries herself, but in how she lifts others.

To the women of Africa, she is a reminder that royalty is not just inherited, it is lived daily in purpose, prayer, and service. To the world, she represents a new era of African queenship: bold in faith, rooted in heritage, and limitless in vision.

Her Majesty has a strong entrepreneurial drive and has, among other lifetime achievements, founded several businesses across industries. Her proficiency is well recognised on the boards of the Wells Property Development Company, the Wells Carlton, and Wells Bakehouse, where she sits. Her passion for coaching young people and mentoring them at various learning phases with practical skills, through education and vocational training, is legendary.

Elevating africa

Together with her husband, Olori Atuwatse III co-founded Elevate Africa, a programme designed to nurture young leaders with funding, mentorship, and access to global networks. By supporting innovation, the Olori sees herself as investing in the future of the continent. She once stated, “Progress is not a betrayal of heritage, it is the highest expression of it.”

She says, “Elevate Africa actively reshapes the narrative in two connected ways: through what we build, and through what we broadcast. On the one hand, we are action-oriented, not just inspirational. We convene leaders, innovators, and changemakers across the continent and diaspora. We do not just gather people to exchange business cards and take photos. We curate conversations around shared priorities, bridge gaps across sectors and countries, and use fellowships alongside media initiatives to move ideas towards impact. 

In simple terms, we connect people who can help each other build, then we make sure the world can see the Africa we know: creative, capable, collaborative, and rising.”

Instructively, Elevate Africa stands on three cardinal points: governance and leadership, trade and investment, as well as tradition and culture. These cardinal points are products of constructive engagement and deep thinking with a view to finding pragmatic solutions to challenges holding down Africa. For instance, the governance and leadership crisis has been one of the hindrances to development in Africa, so when we get governance and leadership right, its effects will be evident on the citizens and society.

Leadership, trade, and culture

As regards trade and investment, statistics have shown that between 8% and 12% of trade happens within the continent among countries in Africa, so Elevate Africa is encouraging more trade and investment opportunities on the continent. 

And of course, tradition and cultural preservation encourage the government to get traditional institutions more involved in governance, because Africa is a continent of Kings, and also our culture is our identity that can be transformed, celebrated, and exported rather than neglected.

Olori Atuwatse III says, “We take the media work seriously because visibility matters. We intentionally use media to amplify African solutions, spotlight excellence, and tell our stories with dignity and accuracy. If you do not tell your story, somebody else will, and they will not tell it well.” 

She sees Africa’s heritage as soft power. Her culture, creativity, values, and history are not ornaments for special occasions; they are assets that can drive advancement.

“We leverage heritage by telling our stories with dignity and accuracy, by celebrating excellence in our arts and traditions, and by grounding modern innovation in a strong sense of identity. When people know who they are, they negotiate differently, they create differently, and they lead differently. Heritage gives confidence, and confidence fuels progress. 

Globally, it also reframes how Africa is seen, not as a tiny character in someone else’s story, but as a continent with depth, intelligence, beauty, and contribution,” the Queen Consort reveals.

Expatiating further, she says, “Some of our key outcomes have been the partnerships and collaborations that have emerged through Elevate Africa, because they translate shared vision into tangible opportunity. When we can bridge governments, private sector leaders, investors, and innovators in ways that unlock trade, investment, and practical solutions, that is success.

“But even more than partnerships, I am proud of the people outcomes. I am proud of the fellows and changemakers who have come through our pipeline and left with stronger networks, greater visibility, and a clearer pathway from ideas to impact. I am proud of the way relationships formed through Elevate Africa have led to new projects, new mentorship, new cross-border collaborations, and renewed confidence in African excellence. For me, the most meaningful success stories are the ones where someone says, ‘Because of this platform, I met the right partner, I found the right opportunity, I gained the courage to build bigger, and I am no longer doing this work alone.’ That is what Elevate Africa exists to do.”

A queen in service

Her plans for both Elevate Africa and the Royal Iwere Foundation are straightforward and purposeful: to persist in doing impactful work that transforms lives. 

“It is essential,” she says. “When women are absent from leadership, we do not just lose fairness, we lose insight. Women bring lived experience that shapes better decisions in education, healthcare, economic policy, family wellbeing, and community development. Representation is a practical necessity if we want solutions that truly serve society.”

In a country where traditional institutions often clash with contemporary values, Olori Atuwatse III represents a rare bridge. She is deeply spiritual, openly Christian, and often speaks about how faith grounds her in both purpose and patience. In doing so, she has carved a new path, one that honours the past while embracing the promise of the future. Through it all, she remains a Queen in service, not just to a throne, but to a people.