As one of the major ethnic groups in Nigeria, the Yoruba have played prominent roles in the politics of the country since the colonial period. They came into the frontline of Nigerian politics with their previous experience of centralized governments, their closeness to and participation in colonial administration, and their access to Western education. Their early interaction with the Europeans, especially the missionaries and colonial officials, helped them to adjust to the Western political system. This paper concentrates on the contributions of the Yoruba people to the growth of Nigerian politics from the colonial period to the present. It highlights some nationalist leaders who struggled for the decolonization and independence of Nigeria. They include Herbert Macaulay, the “Father of Nigerian Nationalism,” Ernest Ikoli, and Obafemi Awolowo. In 1923, Herbert Macaulay of Nigeria formed the Nigerian National Democratic Party (NNDP). He also led the Nigerian Youth Movement (NYM) in 1934. In 1951 Egbe Omo Oduduwa, a Yoruba cultural group, led by Obafemi Awolowo, transformed into a political party called the Action Group (AG). The Yoruba suffered from the political instability that resulted from a series of military coups. The events that occurred in the Western Region in 1965 became the beginning of the political turning point for Nigeria. Leaders such as Samuel Akintola were assassinated. Between the 1980s and 1990s, when Nigeria went through a turbulent period, Yoruba politicians and leaders strongly stood for the principles of democracy. This was especially the case regarding the June 12, 1993 episode. Today, the Yoruba remain in the vanguard of Nigerian politics.