Former President Obasanjo pays courtesy visit to Alaafin of Oyo

By Adejayan Gbenga –

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo on Friday paid a courtesy visit to the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, in Oyo Town.

The visit marked Obasanjo’s first to the monarch since his installation as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo in April 2025.

The former president, who was accompanied by his daughter, Senator Iyabo Obasanjo, and a delegation of dignitaries, was warmly received at the palace.

The courtesy call came amid recent tension following Oba Owoade’s criticism of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, over the conferment of the title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on Ibadan businessman, Engr. Dotun Sanusi.

The Alaafin had argued that no single monarch possesses the authority to bestow a title with jurisdiction over the entirety of Yorubaland.

Although details of the discussions between Obasanjo and the monarch were not disclosed, palace sources suggested the visit was aimed at fostering dialogue and promoting harmony among Yoruba traditional institutions.

Efforts to obtain official comments from the Alaafin’s media aide, Mr. Bode Durojaye, were unsuccessful as of press time.