The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, is preparing to confer a significant traditional title on Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Tinubu. The ceremony, set for Sunday, December 21, 2025, in Oyo town, will see Seyi Tinubu installed as the Okanlomo of Yorubaland.
A Ceremony Set to Draw Prominent Figures
The event is anticipated to attract a high-profile gathering from across Nigeria's South-West region. Traditional rulers, political leaders, top business executives, and other dignitaries are expected to grace the occasion. Seyi Tinubu, a lawyer and entrepreneur, has built a notable public profile through youth engagements and social initiatives, often appearing alongside his father on official outings.
Reigniting a Royal Dispute
This planned installation is not happening in a vacuum. It comes just months after the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, bestowed the title of Okanlomo Oodua upon Ibadan-based businessman Prince Dotun Sanusi in Ile-Ife. That earlier event sparked considerable debate about which monarch holds the authority to issue titles with pan-Yoruba connotations.
Following Prince Sanusi's installation, the Alaafin of Oyo, through his media aide Bode Durojaye, issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding a retraction. The Alaafin argued that the Ooni lacked the prerogative to proclaim titles covering all of Yorubaland, warning that such actions could cause confusion and disrupt long-standing hierarchies among Yoruba kings.
Although that ultimatum passed without a public retraction, the underlying disagreement has simmered, fuelling discussions among historians, traditional leaders, and the public. Some voices call for clearer guidelines on traditional titles, while others view these honours as largely symbolic, reflecting modern influence and philanthropic contributions rather than historical territorial authority.
What This Means for Tradition and Influence
The Alaafin's decision to honour Seyi Tinubu places the president's son in a long line of individuals recognised by the Oyo throne for their perceived contributions to Yoruba development and unity. It also directly shapes an ongoing conversation about power, tradition, and modernity within the region's revered institutions.
As of now, the palace of the Ooni of Ife and representatives of Prince Dotun Sanusi have not issued new statements regarding the Alaafin's latest move. All attention now turns to Oyo town, where the ceremony will undoubtedly influence the delicate dynamics of authority among Yoruba monarchs.
