The photograph preserved in the Justine Cordwell Collection of the Melville J. Herskovits Library of African Studies provides a rare glimpse into royal life in Oyo during the 1950s. At its centre sits Alaafin Adeniran Adeyẹmi II, composed and dignified, with members of his family around him, including the young prince who would later rule as Alaafin Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyẹmi III. The image captures a moment when the Oyo monarchy held firmly to its cultural heritage while the political landscape around it was undergoing profound transformation.
Adeniran Adeyẹmi II succeeded his father, Alaafin Adeyemi I Alowolodu, who reigned from 1876 to 1905. Adeyemi I governed during a period when British colonial influence expanded across Yorubaland, gradually limiting the authority previously enjoyed by the Alaafin. By the time Adeniran Adeyẹmi II ascended the throne in 1945, the institution retained immense cultural respect, yet political change had reshaped the environment in which he was expected to govern.
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The reign of Adeniran Adeyẹmi II
Adeniran Adeyẹmi II ruled from 1945 to 1954, a decade marked by political reorganisation in the Western Region. New political parties, especially the Action Group and the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons, grew rapidly and began to influence regional affairs. Their presence brought new expectations, new rivalries, and new pressures. Traditional rulers across Yorubaland, including the Alaafin, found themselves positioned between the legacy of ancestral authority and the demands of emerging modern structures.
During this period, Oyo experienced episodes of political tension shaped by the competing visions of community leaders and political elites. These tensions were not isolated to Oyo alone but were part of a wider struggle across the region as communities negotiated the balance between traditional leadership and the rising influence of modern politics.
Deposition in 1954 and official intervention
By the mid 1950s, unrest in Oyo drew the attention of both the Western Regional Government and the colonial administration. The Floyd Commission was convened to inquire into the situation. Although its full findings were not publicly released, the events that followed reshaped the throne. In July 1954, the authorities formally deposed Alaafin Adeniran Adeyẹmi II. His removal marked a turning point in the history of the Oyo monarchy, occurring at a moment when political changes were redefining the role of traditional leadership.
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Life in Lagos after the throne
Following his deposition, Adeniran Adeyẹmi II relocated to Lagos and lived at 31 Egerton Lane. Accounts from those who knew the period describe a quiet life marked by dignity and reflection. Residents of Oyo living in Lagos continued to hold him in deep respect. His home remained a place where he maintained a connection to his people until his passing on 14 February 1960.
The shaping of Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyẹmi III
The deposition changed the course of life for his young son, Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyẹmi. After the family’s relocation, he lived under the guardianship of Sir Kofo Abayomi, a leading ophthalmologist and statesman, and Lady Oyinkan Abayomi, an educationist and advocate for women’s advancement. Their household offered stability, discipline, and mentorship during a defining period for the young prince.
He received his education at St Gregory’s College, Lagos, a school recognised for its academic rigour and emphasis on character-building. This environment combined with his royal upbringing, prepared him with both cultural depth and intellectual grounding. These formative years shaped his outlook and his approach to leadership.
Accession and the long reign of Adeyẹmi III
In 1970, following the passing of Alaafin Gbadegesin Ladigbolu II, Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyẹmi ascended the throne as Alaafin Adeyẹmi III. His reign spanned more than five decades, making him the longest-serving Alaafin in modern history. Throughout his tenure, he strengthened the place of the monarchy in contemporary Nigeria, guided cultural preservation, and reinforced Oyo’s position as a leading centre of Yoruba identity.
From festivals and traditional rituals to engagement with state governments, his reign emphasised the importance of continuity. He championed the safeguarding of customs, promoted unity across communities, and reaffirmed the throne’s role as a custodian of heritage.
Enduring legacy of the Alaafin institution
Across three generations, Oyo’s monarchy adapted to changing times while preserving its cultural essence. The story of Adeyemi I, Adeniran Adeyẹmi II, and Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyẹmi III shows how the institution weathered colonial restructuring, political intervention, and societal evolution. Through these shifts, the Alaafin remained a symbol of identity, memory, and tradition for the Yoruba people.
The historic photograph that inspired this narrative stands as a visual bridge linking the past to the present. It represents not only a family but a dynasty navigating change with continuity. It echoes perseverance, the weight of tradition, and the enduring spirit of leadership that defines the Alaafin of Oyo.
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A cultural note on oral tradition
Yoruba oral tradition contains stories that reflect community memory of interactions between political figures and royal protocol during the period. These accounts express how people interpreted respect, hierarchy, and royal dignity. They form part of the cultural understanding of the era and help enrich the historical atmosphere surrounding the Alaafin’s life and reign.
Author’s Note
This story presents the journey of Oyo’s monarchy from the era of Adeyemi I to the long reign of Adeyẹmi III. It captures the challenges of political transition, the resilience of royal identity, and the formative influences that shaped the modern Alaafin. It is a reminder that leadership is often forged through change, and that heritage endures when carried with dignity, wisdom, and continuity.
References
Robert Smith, Kingdoms of the Yoruba, Cambridge University Press
Toyin Falola, The History of Nigeria, Greenwood Press
Melville J. Herskovits Library of African Studies, Justine Cordwell Photographic Collection
