OYO ALAAFIN: HOME OF YORUBA CULTURE AND CIVILITY. by Adeoye Agunlejika
OYO KINGDOM / EMPIRE:
The Ifa devination was made before Oranmiyan finally bided Ile Ibinu today’s Benin goodbye whether to return to the homestead of his Father Ile-Ife or another place providence as provided for him as revealed by the Ifa oracle. Ifa told him and his followers to prepare a white horse on which the symbol of Eji Ogbe-“Baba Ifa” first or prime among the 16 odu ifa is imprinted on. The babalawo’s refer to Odu Eji Ogbe as Baba Ifa. Oranmiyan was given an instruction that wherever the horse slips, there he should settle down with his followers. It will be recalled that on Oranmiyan’s way one of his wives that was pregnant gave birth to Ewii Ado who today is the crown monarch known as Ewii of Ado Ekiti on their way as predicted by the Ifa oracle. As Oranmiyan and his people advanced far off from Benin the horse slipped and according to the instruction of Ifa he and his followers settled there to establish a kingdom today known as Oyo. In his usual adventurous style he captured several territories and extended ties with the Nupes, he married a Nupe princess called Torosi who bore him Ajaka Oko and Sango who later succeeded him as Oloyo / Alaafin of Oyo who today holds the administrative powers of the entire Yoruba race as an expansionist Imperial Majesty which subsequent Alaafin in history followed suit :
1. Oranmiyan
2. Ajaka Oko -was dethroned
3. Sango -became deified as god of thunder and lightening.
4. Ajaka – Oko re-installed
5. Aganju
6. Kori
7. Oluaso
8. Onigbogi-conducted evacuation of Oyo-Ile probably around 16th century “There were 36 other kings after Onigbogi.
9. Ofiran -built the city of Shaki
10. Egunoju -founder of Oyo Igboho
11. Orompoto-speculated to be a woman
12. Ajiboyede
13. Abipa -1570-1580
14. Obalokun -1580-1600
15. Oluodo–He was not buried in BARA (The Royal Burial ground, hence his name was suppressed)
16. Ajagbo-1600-1658
17. Odaraniyewu-1658-1660
18. Kanran-1660-1665
19. Jayin – 1655-1670
20. Ayibi -(1678-1690)
21. Osiyango -(1690-1698)
22. Ojigi -(1698-1732)
23. Gbaru -(1732-1738)
24. Amuniwaye -(1738-1742)
25. Onisile -(1742-1750)
26. Labisi-1750
27. Awonbioju-1750
28. Agboluaje – (Celebrated Bere Festival) 1750-1772
29. Majeogbe -(1772-1775)
30. Abiodun – (Celebrated Bere Festival) 1755-1805
31. Aole
32. Adebo
33. Maku -(1802-1830)
34. Majotu -(Ilorin sized by the Fulani)
35. Amodo -1830
36. Oluewu -(Fall of Ancient Oyo) 1833-1834
37. Abiodun Atiba -(Founder of present Oyo, celebrated Bere Festival) 1837-1859
38. Adelu Agunloye-(1858-1875)
39. Adeyemi I Alowolodu-(1875-1905)
40. Lawani Agogoija -(1905-1911)
41. Ladigbolu – (Jan. 15, 1911-Dec. 19, 1944)
42. Adeniran Adeyemi II-(Jan. 5, 1945-Sept. 20, 1955
43. Bello Gbadegesin -(Ladigbolu II) July 20, 1956-1968
44. Adeyemi III- 1970 – 2022
45. Owoade (ALAAFIN Elect) 2025 to Date.
It’s my prayer to OLODUMARE, the GOD of our fathers is that the Alaafin (elect) of Oyo lives long , reign over the good people of Oyo, on the throne of his fore-fathers in good health ,wisdom , peace , tranquility and prosperity . We must work together in unity with other Yoruba Obas in brotherhood and unity to foster unity , peace , geometrical growth and development of the Yoruba Nation and the Federation of Nigeria .
The 16 Yoruba King of Kings “Olori Alade” who are direct children of Oduduwa – who Odu Ifa referred to as “Alade Merindinlogun Ile Oodua. They are the most senior Obas in Yorubaland .
1. Ado Bini Ogiso / Oba of Benin – Oranmiyan dynasty – IMPERIAL MAJESTY
2. Oloyo / Alaafin of Oyo – Oranmiyan dynasty – IMPERIAL MAJESTY
3. Ajibogun Owa Obokun Adimula Onida arara Ijesa
4. Fagbamila Ajagunla Orangun Ile-ila Igbomina
5. Alaaye Ita-Efon / Obanifon
6. Olugborgan (Ogboroganda) Awujale Ode Ijebu)
7. Akanbi Odara: Onipopo – Benin Republic
8. Onisabe – Benin Republic
9. Osemawe Ode Ondo ( Princess Awamaro )
10. Ajero Ita Ijero
11. Elekole
12. Olowu Ita Owu
13. Alaara
14. Alaketu – Benin Republic
15. Owore Otun
16. Olojudo
(C) Adeoye Agunlejika, 2025
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