After having been nominated by family, approved by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, and corronated in the public glare, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade now becomes the new Alaafin of Oyo.
Traditionally, this marks the beginning of a new era for the ancient Oyo Kingdom, with Oba Akeem at the helm of affairs.
Ancestral lineage
Oba Abimbola Owoade hails from the esteemed Owoade-Agunloye family, a lineage that traces back to Aremo Aderounmu Iyanda Owoade from Agure Compound, Oyo.
Education Background of Oba Abimbola Owoade
Oba Owoade has a National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from The Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, and The Polytechnic, Ibadan, respectively.
Age of the New Alaafin of Oyo
Oba Owoade is 47 years-old. He was born in 1978 to the prominent royal family of Owoade-Agunloye in Oyo town.
What was Oba Owoade’s job before the throne?
Oba Abimbola Owoade was a project manager, who served as a Project Coordinator at Manitoba Hydro, Canada. Prior to his Canada placement, he has worked as a Planning Engineer in Glasgow, UK.
What will he do differently?
According to Oba Abimbola Owoade, his vision for Oyo is multifaceted as he plans to preserve the kingdom’s cultural heritage through initiatives such as building a museum.
He also hopes to drive economic development via industrial parks, as well as empower youth through vocational training. He has also been credited for seeking to collaborate with international bodies including the ILO and UNDP to foster growth and opportunity in Oyo.
His appointment
While Oba Abimbola Owoade’s appointment as the new Alaafin of Oyo marks the beginning of a new chapter for the kingdom, it is hoped that he will use his unique blend of global experience and profound respect for local traditions to lead Oyo towards progress, cultural revival, and community upliftment.
Quick facts about the new Alaafin
1. Oba Akeem Owoade is a Nigerian and Canadian entrepreneur, philanthropist, and president of 100279 Manitoba Limited.
2. Oba Owoade was born in 1978 to a prominent royal family of Owoade-Agunloye in Oyo town.
3. He is one of the surviving children of Pa Rasaki Ibiyosi Owoade, a descendant of Aremo Aderounmu Iyanda Owoade.
4. Oba Akeem Owoade completed his secondary school education at Baptist High School, Saki, Oyo State, Nigeria, in 1992.
5. His father worked for the Oyo North Agricultural Development Programme (ONADEP), helping the Oke-Ogun community boost agricultural productivity.
6. Oba Akeem Owoade began his engineering studies by completing his National Diploma and Higher National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering.
7. He completed his National Diploma and Higher National Diploma at the Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro, Ogun State (1994 to 1997) and the Polytechnic, Ibadan (1999 to 2001), Oyo State.
8. He completed his NYSC with Nigeria Gas Company as a Mechanical Intern/Planner in 2002.
9. After the completion of his NYSC, he worked with Oceanic Bank International Plc. in Warri as a teller (2003 to 2004).
10. Oba Akeem Owoade decided to further his education in the United Kingdom, where he attended the University of Sunderland (2008) and earned a Bachelor of Science.
11. He attended Northumbria University (2012), from where he earned his Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.
12. Oba Akeem Owoade became certified in Project Management in June 2015.
13. He held a Planning Engineer position at Oil Reach Company, Glasgow, United Kingdom, for several years before moving to Canada.
14. Oba Akeem Owoade worked as Project Coordinator at Manitoba Hydro, Canada.
15. Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade was officially confirmed as the new Alaafin of Oyo on Friday, January 10, 2025, by Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State.
He succeeded Alaafin Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III
Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III was the Alaafin of Oyo from 1970 until his passing in 2022. Born on October 15, 1938, he was the longest-reigning Alaafin in modern recorded history, ruling for 51 years.
During his reign, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III played a significant role in promoting the cultural heritage of the Oyo Kingdom.
He was a strong advocate for the preservation of traditional values and customs. The Alaafin was also a respected figure in Nigerian politics, serving as the Chancellor of Uthman dan Fodiyo University in Sokoto from 1980 to 1992, and later as the Chancellor of the University of Maiduguri.
Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III passed away on April 22, 2022, at the age of 83, leaving behind a legacy as a champion of Yoruba culture and tradition.
45 Alaafin of Oyo from 1000
Below is a list of all title holders of the Alaafin of Oyo stool from 1000 till date, from the founder Oranyan to the newly enthroned Alaafin Owoade.
- Oranyan (c. 1000 – c. 1050) – Founder of the Oyo dynasty and 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.
- Makua (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. 1970) – Witnessed Nigeria’s independence.
- Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III (c. 19750 – 2022) – Reigned for over 50 years, modernizing the throne.
- Oba Abimbola Owoade (2025 – present)
