Special report: A glance at the Oyo historical significance, depleted palace ahead of 46th Alaafin’s coronation

Adejayan Gbenga in Oyo

The Alaafin, the custodian of the Palace in the Yoruba language, is the title of the king of the Oyo Empire and present-day Oyo town of West Africa, Nigeria.

The Yoruba kingdoms are known for their ancient roots, famous leaders, and unique ways of ruling.

Delving into the Oyo kingdom, the Oyo Empire was the most powerful Yoruba kingdom, known for its military might and structured governance. The Alaafin of Oyo remains one of the most prestigious traditional titles in Nigeria, symbolizing the rich heritage, political influence, and cultural leadership of the Yoruba people.

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

The Alaafin is assisted by the Oyo Mesi, a council of seven chiefs who held significant influence and could even challenge the king’s power. This council ensured a balanced rule, preventing any one person from becoming too powerful.

Over the centuries, the Alaafin stool has been occupied by iconic rulers whose reigns have shaped the trajectory of the Oyo Kingdom.

• Oranyan (c. 1000 – c. 1050) – The founder of the dynasty, a grandson (or son) of Oduduwa.
• Ajaka (c. 1050 – c. 1075) – A peaceful ruler, overthrown by his warrior brother.
• Shango (c. 1075 – c. 1085) – Known as a warrior king and deified as an orisha in Yoruba mythology.
• Ajaka (restored) (c. 1085 – c. 1095) – Returned to the throne after Shango’s demise.
• Aganjusola (c. 1095 – c. 1105) – A king associated with taming wild animals and longevity.
• Kori (c. 1105 – c. 1135) – Expanded Oyo Ile and reigned for over 50 years.
• Oluaso (c. 1135 – c. 1150) – A prolific ruler known for his numerous descendants.
• Onigbogi (c. 1150 – c. 1170) – Fled the capital during Nupe invasions in the 1500s.
• Ofiran (c. 1170 – c. 1190) – Reclaimed some Oyo territory while in exile.

• Eguguojo (c. 1190 – c. 1205) – Established Igboho as the new capital.
• Orompoto (c. 1205 – c. 1220) – First female Alaafin, known for victories over the Nupe.
• Ajiboyede (c. 1220 – c. 1240) – Introduced the Bere festival.
• Abipa (c. 1240 – c. 1255) – Rebuilt Oyo-Ile after 80 years in exile.
• Obalokun (c. 1255 – c. 1270) – Oversaw Oyo’s expansion and European trade.
• Oluodo (c. 1270 – c. 1285) – Died in battle against the Nupe.
• Ajagbo (c. 1285 – c. 1300) – Introduced the Sesefun crown and created the title of Aare Ona Kankanfo.

• Odarawu (c. 1300 – c. 1320) – Overthrown by the Oyo Mesi.
• Kanran (c. 1320 – c. 1340) – Killed during a mutiny.
• Jayin (c. 1340 – c. 1360) – A tyrant overthrown by the Oyo Mesi.
• Ayibi (c. 1360 – c. 1375) – A rejected king whose reign saw Allada come under Oyo.

• Osiyago (c. 1375 – c. 1390) – Assassinated following a dynastic dispute.
• Ojigi (c. 1390 – c. 1410) – Conquered the Dahomey Kingdom.
• Gberu (c. 1410 – c. 1425) – Deposed after a power struggle with his Basorun.
• Amuniwaiye (c. 1425 – c. 1440) – Assassinated by a personal enemy.
• Onisile (c. 1440 – c. 1460) – Rejected by the Oyo Mesi.
• Labisi (c. 1460 – c. 1475) – Forced to commit suicide by Bashorun Gaa.
• Awonbioju (c. 1475 – c. 1490) – Ruled for 130 days before being compelled to suicide.
• Agboluaje (c. 1490 – c. 1510) – Forced to commit suicide after refusing to declare war.
• Majeogbe (c. 1510 – c. 1530) – Brother of Agboluaje.
• Abiodun (c. 1530 – c. 1550) – Defeated Bashorun Gaa and granted Egba independence.
• Awole Arogangan (c. 1550 – c. 1570) – Overthrown by Afonja and his army.
• Adebo (c. 1570 – c. 1590) – Ruled briefly before his death.
• Maku (c. 1590 – c. 1592) – Reigned for only two months.
• Majotu (c. 1592 – c. 1600) – His reign witnessed Ilorin’s secession and Dahomey’s independence.
• Amodo (c. 1600 – c. 1620) – Saw Oyo sacked by Ilorin in 1833.
• Oluewu (c. 1620 – c. 1640) – The last Alaafin of the Oyo Empire.
• Atiba Atobatele (c. 1835 – c. 1845) – Relocated Oyo south to its current location.
• Olujide Adelu Agunloye (c. 1845 – c. 1855) – Eldest son of Atiba.
• Adeyemi I Alowolodu (c. 1855 – c. 1899) – Last independent Alaafin and later a British vassal.
• Lamidi Amubieya Agogoja (c. 1899 – c. 1919) – Eldest son of Adelu.
• Siyanbola Onikepe Oladigbolu I (c. 1919 – c. 1945) – Known for stability during colonial rule.
• Adeyemi II Adeniran (c. 1945 – c. 1965) – Son of Adeyemi I.

• Bello Gbadegesin Oladigbolu II (c. 1965 – c. 1995) – Witnessed Nigeria’s independence.
• Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III (c. 1970 – 2022) – Reigned for over 50 years, modernizing the throne.
• Prince Abimbola Akeem Owoade (2025 – present) – The newly appointed Canadian-based Alaafin.

Ahead of the main coronation slated for Saturday, April 5, 2025, Western Post correspondent Adejayan Gbenga highlights some substantial information at the Alaafin kingdom.

Western Post gathered that Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade II, having completed traditional rites, has been prohibited from certain acts.

A member of the dynasty family, Prince Femi Owoade, told Western Post that tradition forbids the monarch from seeing Sango, adding that the Alaafin must never see the image or representation of Sango, the Yoruba god of thunder and lightning, and the third Alaafin of Oyo, as it is believed that their meeting would lead to the end of the Alaafin’s reign.

Speaking further, he explained that the stool is a highly reserved position that must be respected by all.

“Nobody can disrespect the Alaafin. You remove your Ileke before greeting the Alaafin, and you must prostrate. It’s a sign of respect.”

ROYAL RESIDENCE

Since the demise of the 45th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi II, activities have permanently ceased at the Oyo palace, but with the emergence of another Alaafin, activities have started coming back to life.

Meanwhile, unlike Ibadan, where the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin, relocated to a new ultramodern Olubadan Palace at Oke Aremo, in the Ibadan North Local Government Area of Oyo State, the 46th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade II, will move to the ancient Oyo Palace after the coronation.

Western Post correspondent, who visited the ancient palace at Ode Aremo, observed that the palace is in poor condition.

Sources within the palace confided that Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade and his chiefs will also live in the same palace his predecessors resided.

Further clarification from Prince Femi Owoade confirmed that the palace is not in good shape, noting that the government is already making arrangements to refurbish the ancient palace for the new monarch and his cabinet.

Meanwhile, Western Post correspondent, who moved around the ancient town of Oyo, gathered that Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade is temporarily residing at the residential lodge of Oyo prince and member representing Oyo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Akeem Adeyemi, ahead of the coronation and renovation at the ancient Oyo palace.

The lawmaker, who is a son of the immediate-past Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, is a close ally of the monarch and has frequently rallied support for the new Alaafin.