The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has reaffirmed that only the throne of Oyo holds the authority to confer traditional titles bearing the name “Yorubaland.” Speaking on Sunday during a high-profile chieftaincy ceremony, the monarch underscored the historical and legal foundations for his claim, framing title conferment as a responsibility rooted in Yoruba history rather than a ceremonial honour.
He made the declaration at the Aganju Forecourt of the Oyo Palace while presiding over the installation of former Zamfara State Governor Senator Abdul-Aziz Yari as Obaloyin of Yorubaland and Mr. Seyi Tinubu as Okanlomo of Yorubaland. The event drew prominent dignitaries and traditional rulers, highlighting the significance of the occasion.
In his address, the Alaafin explained that chieftaincy titles tied to Yorubaland transcend local honourifics. He stated:
“Chieftaincy, in our culture, is not an act of favour. It is not decoration. It is a duty, conferred only when history, authority, and responsibility align.”
The monarch argued that the Oyo throne historically served as a central coordinating authority for the Yoruba people. He noted that this status was recognised well before colonial rule and has been documented through colonial records, post-independence councils, scholarly works, and judicial pronouncements, including decisions of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
Oba Owoade traced the authority of the Oyo throne back to early Yoruba political structures, saying it emerged “by responsibility” rather than by convenience. He explained that colonial administrators encountered this recognised leadership structure and incorporated it into administrative boundaries, citing Oyo Province’s expansive reach in the early 20th century as evidence of the throne’s broad influence.
According to the Alaafin, titles carrying the name Yorubaland are inherently collective representing the entire Yoruba nation rather than any single town, kingdom, or local domain.
“Titles that bear the name ‘Yorubaland’ are not local titles. They are collective titles. They speak not for one town or one kingdom but for the Yoruba people as a whole,” he said, adding that such titles therefore must be conferred by an authority whose jurisdiction historically spans the whole region.
Describing the newly conferred titles as positions of trust, Oba Owoade charged the recipients to uphold dignity, unity, and tradition in their roles. He urged them to exercise humility and to ensure that their contributions advance the collective good of the Yoruba people.
The Alaafin’s remarks come amid ongoing discussions and sometimes tensions among Yoruba traditional institutions regarding their respective spheres of influence, particularly in the conferment of titles perceived to extend beyond local boundaries. Past events have seen rival claims to authority, though the Alaafin reiterated that his position is grounded in history, structure, and law.
