The Oyo State Government on Friday formalised the elevation of 14 traditional title holders in Oyo town to crown-wearing Obas, a move Governor Seyi Makinde described as part of efforts to strengthen grassroots governance and preserve Yoruba heritage.
The colourful coronation ceremony, held at Oliveth Heights in Oyo West Local Government Area, saw the Deputy Governor, Bayo Lawal, present Staffs of Office and Instruments of Office to the newly elevated monarchs on behalf of the governor.
Among those elevated were Oba David Oyediran (Alaaguo of Aguoland), Oba Afonja Mukaila (Baba Eyaji of Oyo), Oba Samuel Odurinde (Alajagba of Oyo), Oba Isiaka Tella-Titiloye (Ona-Isokun of Oyo), Oba Fakayode Alowonle (Onimileke of Imileke), Oba Salawu Oyeniran (Onigbudugbu of Gbudugbu), Oba Olaniyi Adegboye (Oloodu of Ojongbodu), Oba Tijani Ajeigbe (Alapa-Ara of Apa-Ara), Oba Oyeleke Yusuff (Onidode of Idodeland), Oba Lamidi Jimoh (Iba Samu of Oyo Empire), Oba Ganiyu Busari (Alago-Oja of Ago-Oja Land), Oba Asimiyu Jimoh (Agbaaki of Oyo), Oba Jimoh Oyeleye (Alakeitan of Akeitan), and Oba Abel Oyekan (Elepe of Iseke).
In his address, read by the deputy governor, Makinde emphasised the importance of traditional institutions in community leadership, peacebuilding, and development. He urged the newly crowned monarchs to govern with integrity, fairness, and inclusiveness, while supporting government programmes aimed at improving citizens’ welfare.
Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, Ademola Ojo, described the mass coronation as historically significant, noting that the beaded crown symbolises sacred authority and responsibility within the Yoruba traditional system. He commended the governor for facilitating what he called a moment of unity and cultural renewal in Oyo land.
However, the elevation of one of the new monarchs has drawn legal scrutiny.
The Supreme Court of Nigeria has been approached to restrain the Oyo State Government from creating, recognising, or elevating the Baale Ago-Oja chieftaincy pending the determination of an appeal before it. The motion, dated January 30, 2026, was filed in Appeal No. SC/404/2018.
The applicant, the Alaafin of Oyo is seeking interlocutory and mandatory injunctions against the Governor of Oyo State and the state’s Attorney-General. The suit was originally instituted by the late Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III.
The motion asks the apex court to prevent the state government from establishing or re-establishing the Baale Ago-Oja stool, appointing or recognising Alhaji Ganiyu Busari as its holder, or elevating the chieftaincy from a Minor Chief (Part III) to a Recognised Chief (Part II). It also seeks to halt any installation or crowning of the appellant as Oloja of Ago-Oja.
Additionally, the applicant wants the court to set aside aspects of Oyo State Gazette No. 01, Vol. 50 of January 17, 2025, relating to the elevation of the Baale Ago-Oja chieftaincy.
According to the court filing, any attempt to revive or elevate a stool previously declared non-existent by courts of competent jurisdiction would amount to disregarding subsisting judgments and could prejudice the pending appeal.
As of the time of filing this report, the appeal and accompanying motion have not yet been scheduled for hearing.
The development places the recent coronations at the intersection of cultural affirmation and judicial contest, underscoring ongoing tensions between executive authority and traditional hierarchies in Oyo State.