By Umar Idris Shuaibu, Kano
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, is set to install Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as the Okanlomo of Yorubaland.
The installation ceremony is scheduled to take place on Sunday, December 21, 2025, in Oyo town and is expected to attract traditional rulers, political leaders, business figures and other dignitaries from across the South-West.
The development comes weeks after the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, installed Ibadan-based businessman, Prince Dotun Sanusi, as the Okanlomo Oodua in Ile-Ife, a move that generated debates within traditional and cultural circles over the use of titles with regional or pan-Yoruba significance.
The planned ceremony has also revived an earlier disagreement between the Alaafin of Oyo and the Ooni of Ife over the authority to confer titles that extend beyond individual towns or kingdoms. Following Sanusi’s installation, the Alaafin, through his media aide, Bode Durojaye, had issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding a retraction of the title.
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At the time, the Oyo monarch argued that the Ooni of Ife did not have the authority to proclaim or approve titles covering the entirety of Yorubaland, warning that such actions could create confusion within the traditional institution and undermine long-established hierarchies among Yoruba monarchs.
Although the ultimatum expired without a public retraction, the disagreement has continued to spark discussions among historians, traditional leaders and members of the public. While some have called for clearer boundaries on the use of traditional titles, others see the recent installations as largely symbolic honours reflecting modern influence and philanthropy.
Seyi Tinubu, a lawyer and entrepreneur, has in recent years maintained a visible presence across the South-West, particularly through youth-focused engagements, social initiatives and political mobilisation. He is also known for accompanying the President on several public and political outings.
The planned installation places him among a long list of individuals who have received traditional titles from the Alaafin of Oyo, a monarch historically known for recognising figures considered to have contributed to the development, unity and cultural relevance of Yorubaland.
As Oyo town prepares to host the ceremony, attention remains on how the Alaafin’s decision will shape ongoing conversations about authority, tradition and modern influence within Yorubaland’s revered royal institutions.