President Tinubu Hosts Alaafin of Oyo,Emphasizes Unity and Development

Abuja, Nigeria – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu received His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abimbola Abdulakeem Owoade I, the Alaafin of Oyo, and his entourage at the State House in Abuja on Friday. The meeting, which took place following President Tinubu’s closed-door session with security chiefs and National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, underscores the significance of traditional institutions in Nigeria’s governance.

This audience marks the Alaafin’s first official visit to the President since his coronation on April 12, 2025. During the meeting, President Tinubu conveyed his best wishes for a peaceful and prosperous reign to the Alaafin. He further emphasized the crucial role of traditional rulers in fostering unity and driving development.

President Tinubu urged the Alaafin to prioritize the peace, development, and progress of his people, Oyo State, and Nigeria as a whole. This aligns with the President’s previous remarks during the Alaafin’s coronation, where he, represented by Vice-President Kashim Shettima, called upon the monarch to “foster the unity of the Yoruba nation and strengthen the bonds holding Nigeria together.”

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The President’s engagement with the Alaafin of Oyo highlights the ongoing collaboration between the Federal Government and traditional rulers, recognizing their vital contributions to national cohesion. The visit also comes after reports that Oba Owoade arrived in Abuja on Wednesday, to hold strategic meetings with the president.

The Alaafin’s visit reinforces the historical importance of the Oyo kingdom and its influence in the Yoruba nation. The President has expressed high regards for traditional rulers, and their influence in nation building.