Akpabio, Edun, Ganduje present as Seyi Tinubu takes Oyo chieftaincy title

Top political figures, including Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun, and former Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, were among dignitaries who converged on Oyo town on Sunday for the installation of Seyi Tinubu, son of President Bola Tinubu, as a Yoruba traditional title holder.

Seyi Tinubu was installed as the Òkanlòmo of Yorubaland by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, at a colourful ceremony held at the Alaafin’s Palace.

The event attracted ministers, governors, lawmakers, royal fathers and presidential aides, turning the ancient town into a meeting point of political influence, culture and history.

Also installed at the ceremony was the Senator representing Zamfara West and former Governor of Zamfara State, Abdul’Aziz Yari, who received the title of Obaloyin of Yorubaland.

Yari was accompanied by a delegation of northern senators and political figures.

The Òkanlòmo title, which translates to “the beloved child” or “one dear to the hearts of the Yoruba,” is said to symbolise custodianship of Yoruba values, unity and cultural heritage.

Similarly, the Obaloyin title is understood to carry responsibilities that include advising the Alaafin, promoting culture, fostering unity and supporting education and social welfare.

Speaking on the sidelines of the ceremony, former Ogun State Governor Gbenga Daniel urged Seyi Tinubu to use the new office to promote unity, describing him as someone already known for building bridges across divides.

Congratulating Tinubu, the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly and Chairman of the Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria, Adebo Ogundoyin, described the honour as a recognition of Tinubu’s rising profile, youth engagement, philanthropic activities and growing influence across Yorubaland.

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“This is not just a traditional title; it is a call to service and a recognition of leadership potential,” Ogundoyin said, while commending the Alaafin for preserving Yoruba heritage through the conferment of titles on deserving individuals.

Other dignitaries at the event included Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Kalu; Minister of Power, Bayo Adelabu; Statistician-General of the Federation, Adeyemo Adeniran; Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu; Senator Teslim Folarin; Senator Aliyu Wamako; Minister of Budget and Economic Planning, Atiku Bagudu; Minister of Youth Development, Ayodele Olawande; Minister of Labour and Employment, Maigari Dingyadi; and the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare.

Several senators, members of the Federal Executive Council, and traditional rulers from Nigeria and the Republic of Benin also attended the ceremony, which observers described as a strong display of the intersection between Yoruba tradition and contemporary political leadership.