The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, has honoured Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, with the prestigious chieftaincy title of the Okanlomo of Yorubaland, in a colourful ceremony held in Oyo State on Sunday.
The event drew an array of dignitaries from across Nigeria, reflecting the cultural and political significance of the occasion. Seyi Tinubu arrived at the Alaafin’s palace alongside his wife, Layal, accompanied by associates and well-wishers, as traditional rites were observed.
In the same ceremony, the Alaafin also conferred a chieftaincy title on former Governor of Zamfara State and current senator, Abdul’Aziz Yari, further underscoring the prominence of the gathering.
Explaining the meaning of the honour, the Alaafin said the “Okanlomo of Yorubaland” is a title that translates to “the beloved child” or “the one dear to the hearts of all Yoruba people.” He noted that the title symbolises trust, affection, and a responsibility to uphold Yoruba values, unity, and cultural heritage.
Seyi Tinubu, born on 13 October 1985, is a lawyer and entrepreneur. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a Master of Laws (LLM) in Corporate and Commercial Law from the University of Buckingham in the United Kingdom and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 2013. His elevation to the chieftaincy role is seen as a recognition of both lineage and expected cultural responsibility.
Senator Abdul’Aziz Yari, who represents Zamfara West and serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Water Resources and Sanitation, was conferred with the title of “Obaloyin of Yorubaland.” According to the Alaafin, the title embodies ideals of love, compassion, justice, and the role of bridging physical and spiritual realms.
Speaking through his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin explained that both titles come with obligations, including the promotion of Yoruba culture, offering counsel to the throne, fostering unity among diverse groups, and supporting education and social welfare initiatives.
Yari, a former governor of Zamfara State, attended the ceremony with a delegation of northern senators and political leaders, highlighting the cross-regional nature of the event.
The ceremony attracted a large and distinguished audience, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Governor of Sokoto State, Abdullahi Sokoto, former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel, Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Benjamin Kalu, members of the Federal Executive Council, and traditional rulers from Nigeria and the Republic of Benin.
Also present were the Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu; the Statistician-General of the Federation, Adeyemo Adeniran; the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Olawale Edun; Senator Teslim Folarin; and former Kano State Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, among others.
What you should know
The Okanlomo and Obaloyin titles are traditional honours within the Yoruba cultural system, carrying both symbolic prestige and practical responsibility.
They are not merely ceremonial but are meant to reinforce cultural continuity, moral leadership, and unity within Yorubaland and beyond.
By conferring these titles on national political figures, the Alaafin of Oyo reinforces the link between traditional institutions and modern governance, while placing expectations on recipients to promote cultural values, social harmony, and public service.
