By Peter Omopo
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, has announced plans to confer the traditional title of Okanlomo of Yorubaland on Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
An invitation circulating online indicates that the investiture ceremony is scheduled to take place in Oyo Town on Sunday, December 21, 2025.
A source within the Oyo palace confirmed the development to TVC News via WhatsApp, noting that the installation would hold as planned. The source added that preparations are already underway, with the local organising committee working to ensure a smooth ceremony.
The development comes nearly three months after the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, installed Ibadan-based businessman, Prince Dotun Sanusi, as Okanlomo Oodua in Ile-Ife.
Reacting to the planned installation, 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 congratulatory message in Yoruba on social media. She wrote: “Okanlomo mi owon. Egbon mi pataki. South-West gba alejo,” which translates to “My dear Okanlomo. My special brother. The South-West will receive visitors.”
The announcement has revived public attention on the recent dispute between the Alaafin of Oyo and the Ooni of Ife over the conferment of the Okanlomo title. The Alaafin had earlier criticised the Ooni’s installation of Prince 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 of Ife lacked the authority to bestow titles with jurisdiction spanning the entire Yorubaland.
