The long-standing cultural supremacy rivalry between the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, has taken a renewed turn after the installation of Seyi Tinubu as the Okanlomo of Yorubaland by the Alaafin. The title was conferred two weeks ago at a high-profile ceremony attended by Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, former Ogun State governor Otunba Gbenga Daniel, federal cabinet members and traditional rulers from Nigeria and the Benin Republic. The development came shortly after the Ooni installed Ibadan-based business magnate, Chief Jubril Dotun Sanusi, as Okanlomo Oodua in a colourful ceremony, a title expected to advance Yoruba culture, unity, education and social welfare. In August 2025, the Alaafin had warned the Ooni to withdraw Sanusi’s title, describing it as a breach of jurisdiction, stating in part: “The conferment of any chieftaincy title covering the entirety of Yorubaland remains the exclusive right of the Alaafin, as affirmed by the Supreme Court… the Ooni has acted beyond his jurisdiction.”
Although both monarchs publicly announced peace in October 2025 with the creation of the Joint Council of Yoruba Unity (JCUY), reactions from observers suggest the dispute may be far from settled. On X, one Abraham Kowo said, “For peace to truly reign, titles bearing Oodua or Yorubaland should be jointly conferred by the Ooni and the Alaafin. This is a necessary step towards unity and harmony,” while another user, Steven, countered, “When did Ooni start giving the title of Yorubaland?” Traditional icon Araba Ifayemi Elebuibon, in an interview, traced the rivalry to colonial times and warned of its consequences, saying it once “almost divided and rendered the Yoruba Council of Obas… useless.” He added, “Those very close to the Alaafin throne, fanning the embers of war… brings embarrassment to the Yoruba people at home and in the diaspora,” urging both stools to “prioritise unity.” Security agencies and royal councils have yet to issue further mediation steps as public debate intensifies around cultural authority and political symbolism in Yorubaland.