The drums have rolled, the chants have risen, and the royal mantle has found its new bearer. After nearly two years of waiting since the passing of the legendary Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, the ancient city of Oyo has crowned its 46th Alaafin — Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I.
At 47, Oba Owoade I brings with him not just royal blood but a life that traverses the humble streets of Oyo, the oil fields of Glasgow, and the snowy corridors of Canadian boardrooms. He is not just a monarch — he is the embodiment of a modern-day African story: deeply rooted, globally travelled, and fiercely committed to home.
A Crown Forged in Humility and Hustle
Born into the revered Owoade-Agunloye royal family of Agure Compound, Oyo Town, Abimbola Owoade’s journey was not paved with palace luxury. His early life was grounded — the son of a public servant who worked tirelessly to improve agriculture in the Oke-Ogun region. He attended Baptist High School in Saki, a far cry from the prestigious private schools that many royals today might attend.
After earning diplomas in Mechanical Engineering from Federal Polytechnic Ilaro and The Polytechnic, Ibadan, he served his nation with the Nigeria Gas Company in 2002. Then came a move that would define his professional journey — a switch from engineering to banking, and eventually, international project management. It was in these spaces — boardrooms, banks, oil companies — that he honed the discipline and clarity of thought that would eventually serve a throne.
From Manitoba to the Throne of Alaafin
In the United Kingdom, he furthered his education at the University of Sunderland and Northumbria University, securing not just degrees but experiences that shaped his worldview. His career took him from engineering roles in Scotland to becoming Project Coordinator at Manitoba Hydro, one of Canada’s largest energy utilities. While others chased comfort abroad, Owoade built businesses — from real estate to finance — under the banner of Manitoba Limited, always keeping one eye on home.
And now, the prodigal son returns — not as a visitor, not as an investor — but as Alaafin, the keeper of tradition, the symbol of unity, and the voice of a people yearning for both preservation and progress.
A Modern Alaafin for a New Era
Oba Owoade I is stepping into a throne rich in heritage, once occupied by warrior kings, reformers, and custodians of Yoruba civilisation. But the times have changed. Oyo stands at a crossroads, balancing its cultural prestige with modern realities: youth unemployment, migration, disconnection from tradition, and the urgent need for economic revitalisation.
Few are better positioned than this monarch to bridge those worlds. He brings with him a résumé that speaks not just of academic and professional achievement, but of vision. As a leader who understands both community development and corporate structure, he is expected to use his unique blend of experience to revive local enterprise, attract global investment, and most importantly, reconnect the youth of Oyo with their heritage.
Yet, perhaps what excites many is not just his corporate past — but his humanity. A philanthropist, mentor, and quiet changemaker, Oba Owoade has always believed that leadership is about service. Not declarations, not displays — but deep listening, thoughtful action, and building lasting systems of empowerment.
The Crown Has Returned Home
The throne of Alaafin is not merely a symbol of royal lineage; it is a mirror of Yoruba identity. In choosing Oba Owoade I, Oyo has elected a monarch who reflects the strength of its past and the potential of its future. A king educated in Ibadan, sharpened in Glasgow, and crowned in Oyo — with a foot in both worlds, and a heart firmly in the soil of his ancestors.
The sound of the Bata drums may have faded from the coronation day, but a new rhythm has begun in Oyo — one that beats with hope, purpose, and renewal.
Long live Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I. The Alaafin has returned.
