How did King Gezo free Dahomey from Oyo control?

King Gezo (reigned 1818–1858) successfully liberated the Kingdom of Dahomey from the obligation of paying tribute to the Oyo empire by defeating the Oyo forces in 1823.123

This victory marked a turning point for Dahomey, which had been a tributary state to Oyo since 1730. By the time of Gezo’s reign, the Oyo empire was already experiencing a period of internal decline, exacerbated by conflicts between the alafin (ruler) and his chiefs, as well as external pressures from the Fulani in the northeast. Gezo’s military success effectively ended the humiliation of Dahomean subjection to Oyo, allowing Dahomey to reach the height of its power and influence in the region.23451