…Urge Yoruba Royals to Channel Culture into Regional Development
The renewed supremacy tussle between the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade, has been dismissed as a needless distraction by scholars and activists who argue that the era of empire dominance in Yorubaland is long gone.
The controversy began after the Alaafin recently challenged the Ooni’s authority to confer a Yoruba title on businessman Dotun Sanusi, insisting the Ooni had no power to do so. Oba Owoade reportedly gave the Ooni 48 hours to withdraw the title.
However, experts say the demand is baseless and diversionary.
Professor Oladele Adeoti, a renowned historian and former Dean of Arts at Lagos State University (LASU), argued that the Oyo Empire to which the Alaafin lays claim has ceased to exist in modern times.
“The Oyo Empire has long dissolved into the present states of the South-West. Alaafin has no point irrespective of Supreme Court judgments being cited. Historically, Oyo was Yoruba before colonial intervention, but areas such as Ekiti, Ijesa, Akoko, Ondo, Egba, Okun, Igbomina, and Ife were never originally called Yoruba,” Adeoti explained.
He noted that the name “Yoruba” only came into widespread use in the second half of the 19th century, following colonial influence. According to him, the British deliberately stoked supremacy rivalries between Yoruba monarchs for their own political advantage.
“The Yoruba people at home and abroad know who their cultural father is. The supremacy claim in this age is unnecessary. What we need is an authentic Yoruba history devoid of bias, not one relying solely on Samuel Johnson’s account,” Adeoti added.
Activist Dr. Kenny Adenugba, who also weighed in during a live appearance on Television Continental, echoed similar sentiments, stressing that the age of empires is over.
“There are no more empires in Yorubaland. This tussle is needless. Instead, Yoruba monarchs should focus on using culture to drive the development of their states and the region,” Adenugba said.
He further suggested that the Alaafin’s insistence on supremacy may be an attempt to gain attention as a new monarch.
The calls by Adeoti and Adenugba highlight growing concerns that traditional rulers in Yorubaland should move beyond supremacy battles and instead unite to strengthen culture, identity, and regional development.
