Lagos State Governor and Chairman of the South-West Governors’ Forum, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has extended warm congratulations to Oba AbdulAkeem Abimbola Owoade on his coronation as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo.
EpeInsights reports that Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement released on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, described Oba Owoade’s ascension as a significant moment for the people of Oyo, both at home and in the diaspora.
He urged indigenes of the ancient kingdom to support the new monarch in promoting unity, peace, and the development of Oyo.
“The Alaafin’s stool is a symbol of cultural pride and the enduring legacy of one of Africa’s most powerful empires,” Sanwo-Olu said. “I encourage Oba Owoade to uphold the dignity of the throne and continue the rich tradition of promoting Yoruba culture, values, and heritage.”
The Governor praised the new Alaafin as a seasoned administrator and technocrat, expressing confidence in his ability to lead with wisdom and grace.
“On behalf of my family, the government, and the people of Lagos State, I congratulate Oba AbdulAkeem Abimbola Owoade. The people of Oyo are fortunate to have him as their king. I pray for a reign marked by peace, progress, and prosperity for the Oyo kingdom and Yorubaland at large,” he added.
Oba Owoade succeeds the late Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, who reigned for over five decades until his passing in 2022.
The Emergence of a New Monarch
Oba Owoade’s ascension comes nearly three years after the passing of the late Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, who ruled for over five decades. Born on July 17, 1975, Oba Owoade hails from the Owoade-Agunloye royal family of the Agure compound in Oyo, tracing his lineage to Alaafin Atiba, the founder of the current Oyo dynasty.
An accomplished academic and professional, the new Alaafin holds a National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, and a Higher National Diploma from The Polytechnic, Ibadan. He later moved to the UK, where he earned his B.Sc. and M.Sc. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Sunderland and Northumbria University, respectively.
Before his emergence as king, Oba Owoade worked as a Project Coordinator with Manitoba Hydro in Canada and served as President of Manitoba Limited, a real estate and investment firm.
The selection process, led by the Oyo Mesi (traditional kingmakers), was guided by customary rites and reportedly free from political interference. Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State revealed that though there were attempts to sway the decision, the final choice was based on divine consultation.
Oba Owoade, who was in Canada at the time of his selection, expressed humility and surprise upon hearing the news. “It was not something I expected, but I am ready to serve,” he said during his coronation.
The official coronation was held on April 4, 2025, at Olivet Baptist High School in Oyo. In his inaugural address, the new Alaafin outlined his vision for rebuilding and modernizing Oyo, while preserving its cultural and historical legacy.
Oba Owoade emphasized unity among the people and called for collective efforts to restore Oyo’s pride of place in Yorubaland and Nigeria.
As Oyo ushers in this new era under the leadership of Oba Owoade, traditional institutions, political leaders, and citizens alike are hopeful for a reign marked by peace, progress, and cultural renaissance.
