JUST IN: Tinubu Hosts Alaafin of Oyo at State House, Reaffirms Role of Traditional Rulers in National Unity

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is at moment hosting the 46th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, at the State House in Abuja.

This high-profile meeting follows closely on the heels of a closed-door session between President Tinubu and key security chiefs, including the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu. While details of the discussions remain private, the President’s decision to meet with the Alaafin immediately afterward underscores the critical role traditional rulers play in the nation’s governance and stability.

Oba Owoade, who was officially crowned as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo in April 2025, is seen as a unifying figure among the Yoruba people. During his coronation, President Tinubu personally charged the monarch with the responsibility of strengthening unity among the Yoruba nation and contributing to the collective peace and progress of Nigeria.

The audience between the President and the Alaafin is expected to touch on national unity, regional development, and security cooperation, especially given the rising calls for deeper integration between traditional authority and federal governance structures.

This meeting reaffirms the Tinubu administration’s recognition of traditional rulers as custodians of culture, influencers of public sentiment, and vital partners in national development.