New Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, returns home for traditional rites

The newly appointed Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, has arrived in Nigeria from Canada ahead of his traditional rites.

Oba Owoade landed at Murtala Mohammed International Airport in Lagos on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at around 6:25 p.m. He was accompanied by his wife and received by Lagos State’s Special Adviser on Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Idris Aregbe. Traditional drummers and dancers welcomed him amid a grand celebration.

The monarch’s arrival marks the next phase of his ascension process. He recently received his certificate of appointment and staff of office as the 46th Alaafin from Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde.

According to his media aide, Bode Durojaiye, the next steps will involve performing essential traditional rites, including visiting key ancestral homes, making sacrifices, and sleeping over in designated houses.

Durojaiye explained, “As part of the process, Alaafin Owoade would visit a number of houses to offer sacrifices, make appeasements, and even sleep over at some of the houses to carry out some night rites. After these rituals, he will proceed to Ipebi (seclusion) within the Alaafin palace to complete the final stages before his formal coronation.”

The sacred traditional rites are expected to uphold the deep-rooted history and prestige of the Alaafin institution. With Governor Makinde’s directive to conclude the coronation within four weeks, all necessary rituals are set to be completed within the stipulated timeframe.