Yesterday, Ọba Abimbọla Akeem Ọwọade ascends the throne of his forefathers. The Alaafin of Ọyọ remains one of the most prestigious traditional titles in Nigeria, symbolizing the rich heritage, political influence, and cultural leadership of the Yoruba people.
Over the centuries, the Alaafin stool has been occupied by iconic rulers whose reigns have shaped the trajectory of the Ọyọ Kingdom.
Below is the full list of all 46 Alaafin of Ọyọ, from the founder of the dynasty, Ọranyan, to the newly Alaafin, Ọwọade, along with their years of reign: …CONTINUE READING
1. Ọranyan (c. 1000 – c. 1050) – Founder of the Ọyọ dynasty and a grandson (or son) of Oduduwa.
2. Ajaka (c. 1050 – c. 1075) – A peaceful ruler, overthrown by his warrior brother.
3. Sango (c. 1075 – c. 1085) – Known as a warrior king and deified as an Oriṣa in Yoruba mythology.
4. Ajaka (restored) (c. 1085 – c. 1095) – Returned to the throne after Sango’s demise.
5. Aganjuṣọla (c. 1095 – c. 1105) – A king associated with taming wild animals and longevity.
6. Kori (c. 1105 – c. 1135) – Expanded Ọyọ Ile and reigned for over 50 years.
7. Oluaṣọ (c. 1135 – c. 1150) – A prolific ruler known for his numerous descendants.
8. Onigbogi (c. 1150 – c. 1170) – Fled the capital during Nupe invasions in the 1500s.
9. Ofiran (c. 1170 – c. 1190) – Reclaimed some Ọyọ territory while in exile.
10. Eguguojo (c. 1190 – c. 1205) – Established Igboho as the new capital.
11. Ọrọmpọtọ (c. 1205 – c. 1220) – First female Alaafin, known for victories over the Nupe.
12. Ajiboyede (c. 1220 – c. 1240) – Introduced the Bere festival.
13. Abipa (c. 1240 – c. 1255) – Rebuilt Ọyọ-Ile after 80 years in exile.
14. Ọbalokun (c. 1255 – c. 1270) – Oversaw Ọyọ’s expansion and European trade.
15. Oluodo (c. 1270 – c. 1285) – Died in battle against the Nupe.
16. Ajagbo (c. 1285 – c. 1300) – Introduced the Sesefun crown and created the title of Aarẹ Ọna Kankanfo.
17. Odarawu (c. 1300 – c. 1320) – Overthrown by the Ọyọ Mesi.
18. Kanran (c. 1320 – c. 1340) – Killed during a mutiny.
19. Jayin (c. 1340 – c. 1360) – A tyrant overthrown by the Ọyọ Mesi.
20. Ayibi (c. 1360 – c. 1375) – A rejected king whose reign saw Allada come under Ọyọ.
21. Osiyago (c. 1375 – c. 1390) – Assassinated following a dynastic dispute.
22. Ojigi (c. 1390 – c. 1410) – Conquered the Dahomey Kingdom.
23. Gberu (c. 1410 – c. 1425) – Deposed after a power struggle with his Basorun.
25. Amuniwaiye (c. 1425 – c. 1440) – Assassinated by a personal enemy.
26. Onisile (c. 1440 – c. 1460) – Rejected by the Ọyọ Mesi.
27. Labisi (c. 1460 – c. 1475) – Forced to commit suicide by Bashorun Gaa.
28. Awọnbioju (c. 1475 – c. 1490) – Ruled for 130 days before being compelled to suicide.
29. Agboluaje (c. 1490 – c. 1510) – Forced to commit suicide after refusing to declare war.
30. Majẹogbe (c. 1510 – c. 1530) – Brother of Agboluaje.
31. Abiọdun (c. 1530 – c. 1550) – Defeated Bashọrun Gaa and granted Egba independence.
32. Awole Arogangan (c. 1550 – c. 1570) – Overthrown by Afonja and his army.
33. Adebọ (c. 1570 – c. 1590) – Ruled briefly before his death.
34. Maku (c. 1590 – c. 1592) – Reigned for only two months.
35. Majotu (c. 1592 – c. 1600) – His reign witnessed Ilọrin’s secession and Dahomey’s independence.
36. Amodo (c. 1600 – c. 1620) – Saw Ọyọ sacked by Ilọrin in 1833.
37. Oluewu (c. 1620 – c. 1640) – The last Alaafin of the Ọyọ Empire.
38. Atiba Atọbatẹlẹ (c. 1835 – c. 1845) – Relocated Ọyọ south to its current location.
39. Olujide Adelu Agunloye (c. 1845 – c. 1855) – Eldest son of Atiba.
40. Adeyẹmi I Alowolodu (c. 1855 – c. 1899) – Last independent Alaafin and later a British vassal.
41. Lamidi Amubiẹya Agogoja (c. 1899 – c. 1919) – Eldest son of Adelu.
42. Siyanbọla Onikẹpe Ọladigbolu I (c. 1919 – c. 1945) – Known for stability during colonial rule.
43. Adeyẹmi II Adeniran (c. 1945 – c. 1965) – Son of Adeyemi I.
44. Bello Gbadegẹṣin Oladigbolu II (c. 1965 – c. 1995) – Witnessed Nigeria’s independence.
45. Lamidi Ọlayiwọla Adeyẹmi III (c. 1970 – 2022) – Reigned for over 50 years, modernizing the throne.
46. Ọba Abimbọla Akeem Ọwọade I (2025 – present) – The new Alaafin, ushering in a new era for the Ọyọ Kingdom.
