Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has formally elevated 14 high chiefs across the state to the status of crown-wearing Obas, presenting them with staffs of office in a grand ceremony held at the Governor’s Office, Agodi, Ibadan, on Thursday, February 13, 2026.
The elevation is part of the ongoing implementation of the Oyo State Chieftaincy Review Committee Report (also known as the Justice Adeniran-led panel report), which recommended upgrading certain high chiefs to full Obaship status with the right to wear beaded crowns, in recognition of their historical roles, contributions to community development, and the need to strengthen traditional institutions in the state.
The newly elevated monarchs include the Alaaguo of Aguoland, Oba David Oyediran; the Baba Eyaji of Oyo, Oba Afonja Mukaila; the Alajagba of Oyo, Oba Samuel Odurinde; the Ona-Isokun of Oyo, Oba Isiaka Tella-Titiloye; the Onimileke of Imileke, Oyo, Oba Fakayode Alowonle; the Onigbudugbu of Gbudugbu, Oyo, Oba Salawu Oyeniran; the Oloodu of Ojongbodu, Oba Olaniyi Adegboye; and the Alapa-Ara of Apa-Ara, Oba Tijani Ajeigbe.
Others are the Onidode of Idodeland, Oba Oyeleke Yusuff; the Iba Samu of Oyo Empire, Oba Lamidi Jimoh; the Alago-Oja of Ago-Oja Land, Oba Ganiyu Busari; the Agbaaki of Oyo, Oba Asimiyu Jimoh; the Alakeitan of Akeitan, Oba Jimoh Oyeleye; and the Elepe of Iseke, Oba Abel Oyekan.
The ceremony, attended by royal fathers, traditional chiefs, political leaders, and members of the Olubadan-in-Council, marked the official recognition of these high chiefs as full monarchs with beaded crowns and staffs of office.
Governor Makinde’s Remarks Governor Makinde described the elevation as “a historic step toward restoring dignity, hierarchy and harmony in our traditional institution while aligning it with modern realities.” He said:
“Today is not about politics. It is about justice, history and the future. These are men who have served Ibadanland and Oyo State faithfully. Elevating them to Obaship status with crowns and staffs is long overdue. It strengthens our culture, promotes peace and gives them the rightful place they deserve.”
Subscribe To The Best Team In Conservative, Business, Technology, Lifestyle And Digital News Realtime! support@ddnewsonline.com
The governor also used the occasion to reaffirm his administration’s commitment to peaceful coexistence among royal fathers, assuring that the state government would continue to support traditional rulers in their roles as custodians of culture and agents of grassroots development.
The elevation is seen as one of the most significant reforms to the traditional institution in Oyo State in recent decades and is expected to reduce lingering chieftaincy disputes in Ibadanland.
By Ogungbayi Beedee Adeyemi
Send tips to: adeyemi@ddnewsonline.com | 08168555497