The Alaafin of Oyo is one of the oldest and most prestigious traditional titles among the Yoruba, whose influence stretches from the height of the Oyo Empire through colonial rule, and into modern Nigeria. This article focuses on the mid‑twentieth‑century Alaafin Adeniran Adeyemi II, his reign, his removal, and the continuation of the monarchy thereafter.
EXPLORE NOW: Biographies & Cultural Icons of Nigeria
Background of the Oyo Monarchy
The Oyo monarchy traces its origins to ancient Yoruba civilisation. Centuries before colonialism, Oyo was a powerful empire whose political structures and military strength influenced much of what is now southwestern Nigeria and beyond. Although colonial conquest in the late nineteenth century ended Oyo’s imperial status, the Alaafin remained a central custodian of culture, tradition, and identity.
Under British indirect rule, traditional rulers were incorporated into the colonial administrative system, preserving their symbolic and cultural influence even as political power shifted to colonial officers. After Nigeria gained independence in 1960, monarchies like Oyo adapted to a new political landscape where elected governments coexisted with traditional authority.
Alaafin Adeniran Adeyemi II: Ascension and Reign
In 1945, Alaafin Adeniran Adeyemi II ascended the Oyo throne, succeeding the previous Alaafin, Siyanbola Onikepe Oladigbolu I. Adeniran Adeyemi II was a member of the Alowolodu Royal House, itself part of the larger Oranmiyan royal lineage. His accession maintained continuity in a historic dynasty that linked past rulers to a future amid profound political change.
Alaafin Adeniran Adeyemi II’s reign occurred under British colonial administration, which recognised the Alaafin as a traditional monarch and custodian of Yoruba culture and local affairs. His kingship coincided with growing demand for Nigerian self‑government and greater political participation by indigenous leaders and parties.
During this era, the role of the Alaafin was largely ceremonial, focused on upholding palace rituals, mediating local disputes, and nurturing cultural life. Although colonial officials held political authority, the Alaafin’s position remained a significant source of identity and respect among the Yoruba.
Political Change and Removal
By the early 1950s, political tensions in the Western Region of Nigeria had intensified. Different political parties and leaders were vying for influence in the approaching era of self‑government. Records show that in 1954, Adeniran Adeyemi II’s relationship with regional political leaders deteriorated. His alignment, or perceived alignment, with certain political groups, and a clash with powerful politicians of the era, led to his deposition and exile from Oyo.
While exact details vary in oral and written accounts, the broad consensus in historical reporting is that political conflict, rather than palace intrigue or dynastic dispute alone, contributed to his removal. After being dethroned, he spent the remainder of his life outside the palace, and he died in exile in 1960.
The removal of an Alaafin for political reasons was unusual, and it reflected the shifting dynamics between traditional authority and modern politics in late colonial Nigeria. Rather than ending the Oyo monarchy, it marked a change in how that institution interacted with emerging political forces.
Succession: Alaafin Gbadegesin Oladigbolu II and Lamidi Adeyemi III
Following Adeyemi II’s departure, a regency period briefly held the throne until Bello Gbadegesin Oladigbolu II became Alaafin around 1956. He reigned through Nigeria’s independence in 1960 and into the early years of the new nation.
After the end of Oladigbolu II’s rule in 1968, the throne remained vacant for a short period. In 1970, Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III was crowned Alaafin. A member of the same Alowolodu Royal House as Adeniran Adeyemi II, Lamidi Adeyemi III would go on to be one of Oyo’s longest‑serving monarchs. His reign lasted over five decades, during which he became a respected custodian of Yoruba culture and tradition, presiding over festivals, palace rites, and cultural preservation at a time when traditional institutions continued to adapt within modern Nigeria.
Cultural and Social Role of the Alaafin
The Alaafin’s role in the twentieth and twenty‑first centuries was shaped by tradition and adaptability. Although no longer an imperial political power, the Alaafin remained a teacher of history, a preserver of customs, and a symbol of Yoruba identity. Palace rituals, festivals, and community ceremonies under the Alaafin’s supervision reinforced Oyo’s cultural heritage.
Many scholars, historians, and cultural commentators highlight how the monarchy maintained continuity even as Nigeria moved from colonial rule to independence, and then to a republic where elected governments served political functions while traditional rulers held revered cultural positions.
Legacy of the Mid‑Twentieth‑Century Monarchy
The succession from Adeyemi II, through Bello Gbadegesin Oladigbolu II, to Lamidi Adeyemi III, and now to the newly installed Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, demonstrates the resilience of the Oyo monarchy. Despite political upheavals, shifting governance systems, and changing social expectations, the Alaafin stool has persisted as a centre of cultural continuity.
Adeniran Adeyemi II’s reign, although truncated by political conflict, represents a transitional phase in Yoruba monarchy, situated between colonial indirect rule and the dawn of self‑government. His removal from the throne illustrates how traditional institutions navigated the pressures of modern politics, and how the responsibilities of kingship evolved within new national structures.
Alaafin Adeniran Adeyemi II was a pivotal figure in the Oyo monarchy’s twentieth‑century history. His rise to the throne in 1945 maintained a centuries‑old lineage, his deposition highlighted the tensions between traditional authority and emerging political forces, and his legacy is carried forward by his successors, especially Lamidi Adeyemi III, whose long reign reinforced Oyo’s cultural prominence. Today, the Oyo monarchy continues to hold relevance as both a symbol of Yoruba heritage and a testament to the adaptability of traditional leadership in modern Nigeria.
READ MORE: Ancient & Pre-Colonial Nigeria
Author’s Note
This article presents a clear account of Alaafin Adeniran Adeyemi II and the Oyo throne during colonial and early independent Nigeria. It focuses on how traditional leadership adapted amidst political change, maintaining cultural continuity for the Yoruba people.
References
- Chronological lists and historical information on Alaafin rulers of Oyo, Ibadan City Journal.
- History and narrative of Alaafin Adeyemi II’s reign and deposition, Oyo Affairs.
- Background on Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III and Oyo monarchy, Oyo State News and related reports.
