President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Friday welcomed the newly crowned Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, to the Presidential Villa, Abuja, marking the monarch’s first official audience with the president since his coronation last month.
Oba Owoade, who ascended the historic Yoruba throne on April 12, 2025, was received at the State House shortly after Jumaat prayers and following President Tinubu’s closed-door security briefing with service chiefs and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu. Sources within the presidency confirmed that the meeting was held behind closed doors, in line with protocol, but highlighted the symbolic importance of the royal visit, which underscores the ongoing engagement between the federal government and traditional institutions.
This meeting also marks the monarch’s first formal interaction with Nigeria’s Commander-in-Chief since assuming leadership of one of the most revered thrones in the country’s traditional hierarchy. The Alaafin of Oyo is not only a cultural figurehead but also a significant voice in Yoruba affairs and a symbol of historical continuity dating back centuries. During Oba Owoade’s coronation ceremony in Oyo town, President Tinubu — represented by
Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu — had charged the new Alaafin to be a unifying force in the Yoruba nation and to play a constructive role in fostering national cohesion.
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Observers believe Friday’s meeting likely touched on matters relating to regional development, national unity, cultural preservation, and the strengthening of traditional institutions as partners in governance. Though details of the discussions were not disclosed as of press time, aides to both the presidency and the palace confirmed it was “cordial and forward-looking.”
Oba Owoade’s visit to Aso Rock reinforces the relevance of monarchs in Nigeria’s evolving democratic space and their capacity to influence peacebuilding, community development, and intergovernmental dialogue.
The Alaafin’s courtesy call is expected to be the first in a series of nationwide consultations between the presidency and traditional rulers as part of the administration’s broader strategy to engage cultural leaders in policy implementation at the grassroots level.
Further updates on the outcome of the meeting are expected in the coming days
