The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has declared that the authority to bestow chieftaincy titles bearing the name “Yorubaland” rests solely with the Oyo throne.
The monarch made this known during the installation of Senator Abdul-Aziz Yari as Obaloyin of Yorubaland and Barrister Seyi Tinubu as Okanlomo of Yorubaland at the Aganju Forecourt, Aafin Oyo.
According to the Alaafin, chieftaincy within Yoruba tradition is not a ceremonial reward or personal favour but a position of duty that carries serious responsibility. He explained that the Oyo throne has historically functioned as a central coordinating authority for the Yoruba people, a role acknowledged both before and after colonial rule.
He stressed that titles which include the name “Yorubaland” are not tied to individual towns or kingdoms but represent the collective Yoruba people. As such, they must be conferred by an authority whose historical and legal influence extends across the entire region.
The Alaafin noted that colonial documents, post-independence administrative structures, academic works, and rulings of the Supreme Court of Nigeria all recognise this long-standing authority of the Oyo throne.
Describing the newly conferred titles as positions of trust, he said they demand courage, loyalty, humility, and service to the broader Yoruba community. He added that such honours are intended to strengthen unity, reinforce respect for tradition, and uphold the cultural boundaries that sustain Yoruba identity.
The monarch urged the new titleholders to carry out their responsibilities with humility and dedication, ensuring that their roles contribute to the dignity, cohesion, and collective progress of Yorubaland.
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