Dare Babalola
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, has revealed plans to confer the prestigious title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on Seyi Tinubu, the son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
An online invitation circulating shows that the traditional investiture ceremony is set to take place in Oyo Town on Sunday, December 21, 2025.
This follows closely on the heels of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, conferring the title of Okanlomo Oodua on Ibadan-based businessman, Prince Dotun Sanusi, in a ceremony held in Ile-Ife about three months ago.
According to TVC News, a source within the Oyo palace confirmed that the title conferrement would hold as planned.
Report has it that preparations for Seyi Tinubu’s installation are ongoing, noting that the local organising committee is working intensively to ensure the ceremony proceeds smoothly.
Reacting to the announcement, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-West), Moremi Ojudu, who is known to be close to Seyi Tinubu, shared a message in Yoruba. She wrote, “Okanlomo mi owon. Egbon mi pataki. South-West gba alejo.” (My dear Okanlomo. My special brother. The South-West will receive visitors).
The planned ceremony has brough back memories of the recent dispute between the Alaafin of Oyo and the Ooni of Ife over the conferment of the Okanlomo title.
The Alaafin had previously faulted the Ooni’s installation of Sanusi, issuing a 48-hour ultimatum through his media aide, Bode Durojaye, demanding a retraction.
At the time, the Oyo monarch argued that the Ooni lacked the authority to bestow titles with jurisdiction across Yorubaland.
