Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade has been officially crowned as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo in a grand ceremony held on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at Oliveth Baptist High School in Oyo Town. This event follows his receipt of the staff of office and instrument of appointment from Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde on January 13, 2025.
The coronation was attended by numerous dignitaries, including Governor Seyi Makinde, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi; the Olubadan of Ibadan, Oba Owolabi Olakulehin; the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Ghandi Olaoye; the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi; and the Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland, Iba Gani Adams.
Born in 1975, Oba Owoade is a descendant of the Owoade-Agunloye royal family of Oyo Town. He holds a Master of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from Northumbria University and has had a professional career as a project coordinator at Manitoba Hydro in Canada. The coronation marks the beginning of a new era for the Oyo Kingdom, following the passing of the 45th Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, on April 22, 2022, at the age of 83.
