Ọtun Ẹfa and the Rich Legacy of Ọ̀yọ́ Culture

By Adeboye Prince Adetu

In the of Ọ̀yọ́’s royal tradition, few figures embody loyalty and proximity to power as vividly as Ọtun Ẹfa, the man seated at the front of the Alaafin. Among the revered Ẹmẹwas—the traditional aides and royal household members who serve the Alaafin—Ọtun Ẹfa stands out as an unarguable cornerstone. Though not the head of the Ẹmẹwas, his role is unparalleled in its closeness to the Alaafin, the paramount ruler of the Ọ̀yọ́ Empire. Wherever the Alaafin treads, Ọtun Ẹfa follows—a shadow of fidelity, a guardian of presence.

The Ẹmẹwas, a collective of dedicated courtiers, are the lifeblood of the Alaafin’s palace, ensuring the smooth execution of royal duties and preserving the sanctity of tradition. This esteemed group includes notable figures such as Ona-Ẹfa, Osi-Ẹfa, Kudefu, Olori, Obabori, Ilugbenka, and Iludero, among others. Each plays a distinct role in the intricate hierarchy, yet Ọtun Ẹfa’s position is uniquely intimate. He is not merely an aide; he is a constant companion, bound by duty to remain by the Alaafin’s side in every conceivable circumstance.

Picture this: if the Alaafin steps into Aso Rock, the seat of Nigeria’s presidency, Ọtun Ẹfa is there. When the Alaafin retires to his private chambers, Ọtun Ẹfa stands sentinel at the entrance—even as the king shares moments with his wife. Should the Alaafin fall ill and require a hospital bed, Ọtun Ẹfa is there, seated beside him, a steadfast presence in times of strength or frailty. Remarkably, even when the Alaafin’s wives are denied access due to protocol or circumstance, Ọtun Ẹfa remains—an exception rooted in tradition and trust.

This unwavering dedication was exemplified in the service of Ọtun Ẹfa to the late Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III, the revered Alaafin who reigned for over five decades until his passing on April 22, 2022. Ọtun Ẹfa served Oba Adeyemi III with unrelenting loyalty, accompanying him through every triumph and trial. On the fateful day the Alaafin breathed his last at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital (ABUAD) in Ekiti State, Ọtun Ẹfa was there, beside Kabiyesi, a silent witness to the end of an era. His presence underscored the depth of his role—not just as an aide, but as a symbol of continuity and devotion.

The legacy of Ọtun Ẹfa continues to resonate in the court of the newly crowned Alaafin, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, who ascended the throne as the 46th Alaafin of Oyo on April 5, 2025. Oba Owoade, a man of royal lineage and modern accomplishment, brings a fresh chapter to the storied history of Ọ̀yọ́, and with him, the traditions upheld by figures like Ọtun Ẹfa remain vital. To fully appreciate the cultural richness of Ọ̀yọ́ today, it is worth exploring the life of this new Alaafin, whose journey from a global professional to the throne exemplifies the blend of heritage and progress that defines the kingdom.

Born on July 17, 1975, into the distinguished Owoade-Agunloye royal family of the Agure Compound in Oyo Town, Abimbola Akeem Owoade is a direct descendant of Alaafin Atiba, a foundational figure in the Ọ̀yọ́ dynasty. His lineage traces through Alaafin Lawani Agogoja and Alaafin Adelu Agunloye, embedding him deeply in the royal heritage. Raised as one of the surviving children of Pa Rasaki Ibiyosi Owoade, young Abimbola grew up with a sense of duty to his roots, though his path would first take him far beyond the palace walls. He began his education at Baptist High School in Saki, Oyo State, completing his secondary studies in 1992. His academic journey continued with a National Diploma in Mechanical Engineering from The Federal Polytechnic, Ilaro (1994–1997), followed by a Higher National Diploma from The Polytechnic, Ibadan (1999–2001). Demonstrating a thirst for knowledge, he later pursued advanced studies abroad, earning a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Sunderland and an MSc from Northumbria University in the United Kingdom.

Oba Owoade’s professional life is a testament to his versatility and ambition. After serving as a Mechanical Intern with the Nigeria Gas Company during his National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in 2002, he briefly worked as a teller at Oceanic Bank Plc from 2003 to 2004. His career then took an international turn, leading him to Glasgow, UK, where he worked as a Planning Engineer at Oil Reach Company. Eventually settling in Canada, he rose to the position of Project Coordinator at Manitoba Hydro, one of the country’s largest electric power and natural gas utilities. Beyond engineering, Oba Owoade showcased his entrepreneurial spirit as the president of 100279 Manitoba Limited, a company focused on real estate investment and financial services. His philanthropy also shone through, with contributions to education, community projects, and crisis relief efforts, reflecting a commitment to uplifting others—a trait that now informs his reign.

The journey to the throne was unexpected yet divinely ordained, as Oba Owoade himself has recounted. Living in Canada in January 2025, he awoke one morning to a message from his younger brother in Nigeria, containing a link announcing his approval as the Alaafin-elect by Governor Seyi Makinde. Initially skeptical, he confirmed the news and shared it with his wife, marking the beginning of a profound homecoming. His selection by the Oyomesi, following thorough consultations and Ifa divination, resolved years of socio-political disputes since Oba Adeyemi III’s passing. On January 13, 2025, he received the staff and instruments of office from Governor Makinde in Ibadan, and after completing the 21-day Ipebi traditional rites, he was crowned on April 5, 2025, at Olivet Baptist High School in Oyo Town, attended by dignitaries including the Ooni of Ife, Olubadan of Ibadan, and Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland.

As the 46th Alaafin, Oba Owoade has outlined a vision that marries tradition with modernity. His priorities include youth empowerment through job creation, infrastructure development, and the promotion of Yoruba culture and language. “The welfare of my people is my primary focus,” he declared in an interview, emphasizing peace, unity, and progress for Oyo and Yorubaland. His global exposure and educational background equip him to bridge the past and future, ensuring that the legacy of figures like Ọtun Ẹfa endures while adapting to contemporary needs.

Ọ̀yọ́’s richness in culture remains a marvel to behold. From the grandeur of its palaces to the rhythm of its festivals, the empire’s heritage is a living testament to the ingenuity and resilience of the Yoruba people. The Alaafin, as the custodian of this legacy, relies on the Ẹmẹwas to uphold the customs that have defined Ọ̀yọ́ for centuries. The role of Ọtun Ẹfa, in particular, reflects the values of loyalty, honor, and proximity to power—values that resonate deeply within Yoruba cosmology and find renewed expression under Oba Owoade’s reign.

Beyond the palace walls, Ọ̀yọ́ culture thrives in its art, music, and oral traditions. The intricate beadwork of royal regalia, the pulsating beats of the talking drum, and the timeless proverbs passed down through generations all speak to a civilization that has long understood the power of identity. The Ẹmẹwas, with Ọtun Ẹfa as a prominent figure, are not just servants of the Alaafin—they are custodians of this cultural wealth, ensuring its preservation for posterity. With Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I now at the helm, supported by the steadfast presence of Ọtun Ẹfa, Ọ̀yọ́ stands poised for a new era of prosperity and pride.

As we reflect on the lives of Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III and his successor, Oba Owoade, alongside the enduring service of Ọtun Ẹfa, we are reminded of the strength of Ọ̀yọ́’s traditions. In an age of rapid change, the Alaafin’s court remains a beacon of heritage, where ancient roles and modern leadership converge to bridge the past and the present. Ọ̀yọ́ is not just a place—it is a culture, a story, and a way of life, richly woven with threads of loyalty, duty, and pride