Owoade’s diverse experiences now converge as he steps into his role as the 46th Alaafin, poised to lead Oyo into a new era of progress and cultural pride
Oba Abimbola Owoade Crowned 46th Alaafin of Oyo, Ushers in a New Era
Oyo Town witnessed a historic moment today, April 5, 2025, as Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade was crowned the 46th Alaafin of Oyo at Oliveth Baptist High School.
The coronation, attended by dignitaries from across Nigeria, marked the enthronement of a new king on one of the most revered stools in the Yoruba Kingdom, succeeding Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, who passed away on April 22, 2022, at the age of 83.
The journey to the throne began earlier this year when Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde presented Oba Owoade with the staff of office in January. Last Saturday, March 29, the new Alaafin completed the mandatory 21-day traditional rites, known as Oro Ipebi, paving the way for today’s grand ceremony. Governor Makinde led a distinguished gathering that included the the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin; the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye; the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi; and Aare Ona Kankanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams, among others.
The event signalled a fresh chapter for the people of Oyo Town, Oyo State, and the broader Yoruba community worldwide.
Who is Oba Abimbola Owoade?
Born 47 years ago into the prominent Owoade-Agunloye royal family of Agure Compound in Oyo Town, Oba Abimbola Owoade I brings a blend of tradition and modernity to the throne.
The son of Aremo Aderounmu Iyanda Owoade, whose career with the Oyo North Agricultural Development Programme (ONADEP) supported agricultural growth in the Oke-Ogun region, Oba Owoade has carved his own path with an impressive academic and professional record.
He completed his secondary education at Baptist High School, Saki, before pursuing Mechanical Engineering, earning a National Diploma from Federal Polytechnic Ilaro (1994–1997) and a Higher National Diploma from The Polytechnic, Ibadan (1999–2001).
After his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) stint as a Mechanical Intern/Planner at Nigeria Gas Company in 2002, he briefly worked as a cashier at Oceanic Bank International Plc in Warri from 2003 to 2004.
Oba Owoade furthered his education abroad, obtaining Bachelor of Science degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Sunderland (2008) and Northumbria University (2012). Certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) in June 2015, he held a planning engineering role at Oil Reach Company in Glasgow, United Kingdom, before relocating to Canada. There, he served as a Project Coordinator at Manitoba Hydro, one of Canada’s largest electric power and natural gas utilities, until his royal calling.
A Nigerian-Canadian entrepreneur and philanthropist, Oba Owoade also presided over Manitoba Limited, managing a successful real estate investment and financial services business in Canada.
Owoade’s diverse experiences now converge as he steps into his role as the 46th Alaafin, poised to lead Oyo into a new era of progress and cultural pride. Read More
