In a landmark event steeped in history and cultural grandeur, Oba Abimbola Owoade I was officially crowned as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo, succeeding the late Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, who passed away on April 22, 2022, after reigning for over five decades.
The coronation, which drew a significant assemblage of traditional rulers, political leaders, cultural custodians, and citizens from across the Yoruba nation and beyond, took place at Oliveth Baptist High School in Oyo.
Oba Owoade’s ascendancy marks the beginning of a new chapter for the ancient Oyo Empire, one of the most culturally significant monarchies in Nigeria and West Africa.
Following his selection and confirmation by the Oyo Mesi (the traditional kingmakers of Oyo) and the state government, the monarch observed the customary Oro Ipebi rites — a 21-day period of seclusion, spiritual purification, and instruction in royal responsibilities — which concluded on March 29.
The Oyo State Government, in anticipation of the high-profile event, deployed substantial security measures across the city and its environs. Uniformed personnel were stationed at strategic locations to maintain order and ensure the safety of guests and residents.
The new Alaafin, Oba Abimbola Owoade I, accompanied by his wife, Olori Abiwumi Owoade, received blessings from traditional leaders and offered assurances of his commitment to justice, unity, and the cultural preservation of the Yoruba people.
The installation of the 46th Alaafin is not only a continuation of a storied legacy but also a reflection of the evolving role of traditional institutions in modern governance, social harmony, and cultural renaissance.
Oba Owoade now assumes the role of a custodian of heritage, a symbol of unity, and a spiritual figure for millions of Yoruba people globally.
The ceremony was presided over by the Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, who earlier presented the staff of office and instruments of authority to the new monarch on January 13, 2025, at the Governor’s Office in Ibadan.
Among the array of distinguished traditional leaders present were the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye; the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi; and the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams. Their presence underscored the unity and reverence for the Alaafin stool within the Yoruba traditional system.
