The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, is set to confer the prestigious chieftaincy title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in a high profile ceremony scheduled for Sunday, December 21, 2025, in Oyo Town.
The event, which has already stirred public interest, will also see Senator Abdulaziz Yari being installed as the Obaloyin of Yorubaland, according to a widely circulated invitation.
This planned installation comes barely two weeks after the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, stirred controversy by installing Ibadan businessman Prince Dotun Sanusi as Okanlomo Oodua in Ile-Ife, a move that drew sharp criticism from the Alaafin’s camp.
In what is now seen as a direct response, the Alaafin’s palace has confirmed preparations are in top gear, with the local organising committee working around the clock to host dignitaries from across Nigeria.
Reacting to the development, Moremi Ojudu, Senior Special Assistant to President Tinubu on Community Engagement (South-West) and a close ally of Seyi Tinubu, celebrated the upcoming chieftaincy title in a social media post written in Yoruba: “Okanlomo mi owon. Egbon mi pataki. South-West gba alejo.”(My dear Okanlomo. My special brother. The South-West will receive guests.)
It will be recalled that tensions briefly flared between the Alaafin and Ooni over Sanusi’s title, with the Oyo monarch demanding a retraction within 48 hours—signaling deeper dynamics over traditional authority and regional influence within the Yoruba kingdom.
All eyes are now on Oyo Town as the event promises to draw the crème de la crème of society, deepening Seyi Tinubu’s traditional and political visibility within the South-West.
