Oyo hosts historic installation as Seyi Tinubu, Yari receive yoruba chieftaincy titles

The ancient city of Oyo was on Wednesday transformed into a centre of pageantry and political convergence as Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, was installed as the Òkanlómọ of Yorubaland by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade.

At the same ceremony, former Governor of Zamfara State and serving senator, Abdulaziz Yari, was conferred with the traditional title of Obaloyin of Yorubaland, in an event that blended deep-rooted Yoruba customs with contemporary political symbolism.

The colourful installation ceremony, which took place at the historic Alaafin’s Palace, attracted a wide array of dignitaries from across the country.

Many of those present described the occasion as historic, noting that it underscored the enduring relevance of traditional institutions in fostering unity and national cohesion.

Seyi Tinubu arrived at the palace around 1:30 p.m. alongside his wife, Layal Tinubu, who stood by him throughout the elaborate traditional rites, sharing in the solemn and celebratory moments of the installation.

The event evoked memories of the old Oyo Empire, which for centuries served as a dominant political and cultural force in the West African sub-region.

The ceremony effectively turned Oyo into a meeting point for Nigeria’s political elite, as governors, ministers, lawmakers, royal fathers and senior presidential aides thronged the town.

Observers described the gathering as a rare convergence of history, culture and political influence.

Among the dignitaries in attendance were Senate President Godswill Akpabio; former Ogun State Governor, Senator Gbenga Daniel; Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu; members of the Federal Executive Council; and traditional rulers from different parts of Nigeria as well as the Republic of Benin.

Also present were the Minister of Power, Chief 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.
Others included Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu; Senator Aliyu Wamako; Minister of State for Works, Mohammed Goronyo; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande; Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare; and Minister of Labour and Employment, Maigari Dingyadi.
Several serving senators were also in attendance, including Tokunbo Abiru, Jimoh Ibrahim, Buba Shehu, Abdulfatai Buhari and Ede Dafinone, alongside the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, and Senator Olamilekan Adeola, among others.

Speaking after the ceremony, some of the dignitaries described the installation of Seyi Tinubu and Senator Yari as a reflection of the intersection between cultural heritage and modern leadership.

They noted that the conferment of such titles carries expectations of service, unity and moral leadership beyond politics.

Former Ogun State Governor, Senator Gbenga Daniel, urged Tinubu to use his new traditional office to further promote unity and national cohesion, describing him as someone already known for bridge-building across different groups.

Similarly, other guests called on the new Òkanlómọ of Yorubaland to leverage the platform to contribute to national development and social harmony, with one attendee remarking that the large turnout made it seem as though “the entire Senate, past and present,” had descended on Oyo.

In his congratulatory message, the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly and Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Rt. Hon. Adebo Ogundoyin, described the honour bestowed on Tinubu as well deserved.

He said the installation recognised Tinubu’s growing influence, youth engagement initiatives and philanthropic contributions across Yorubaland.

According to Ogundoyin, the title represents more than ceremonial recognition, but a call to service and leadership.

He commended the Alaafin of Oyo for sustaining Yoruba traditions and strengthening the cultural institution through the conferment of chieftaincy titles on individuals considered worthy.

The Speaker further urged Seyi Tinubu to use his new status to advance unity, promote cultural pride, support youth development and contribute to sustainable progress across Yorubaland.