Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, inaugurated the 50th anniversary of the state on Monday in Ibadan, amid the notable absence of two prominent traditional rulers—the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Owoade, and the Soun of Ogbomoso, Oba Olaoye Ghandi.
The event at the International Conference Centre, Ibadan, brought together former governors’ families, religious and traditional leaders, government officials, and political stakeholders to celebrate the state’s creation on February 3, 1976. The state government had earlier unveiled a week-long program, including religious services, cultural exhibitions, awards nights, and a public lecture titled, “Consolidating The Legacy, Navigating The Present And Reimagining The Future.”
Governor Makinde had appointed former House of Representatives member Saheed Fijabi to chair an 11-member planning committee overseeing the anniversary events. During the ceremony, Makinde cut the anniversary cake and reflected on the state’s achievements and future goals.
The absence of the Alaafin and the Soun drew attention, especially after Makinde’s recent decision to rotate the chairmanship of the Oyo Council of Obas among the Alaafin, Soun, and Olubadan. Previously, the chairmanship was reserved for the Alaafin.
At the Olubadan’s recent inauguration, Makinde had indicated that all three monarchs agreed to the rotational system. However, the Alaafin subsequently denied participating in any agreement, signaling possible tensions within the state’s traditional institutions.
Efforts to obtain comments from the Alaafin’s and Soun’s spokesmen, Bode Durojaye and Peter Olaleye, were unsuccessful. Meanwhile, the Olubadan of Ibadan and Chairman of the Oyo Council of Obas, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, attended the ceremony with other traditional rulers.
In his address, Makinde emphasized his administration’s commitment to economic growth, job creation, investment attraction, and expanding opportunities for residents. He highlighted the legacy of former Governor Bola Ige, particularly his provision of free textbooks and learning materials, as foundational to the state’s ethos of equal opportunity.
Makinde also showcased a digital tribute platform established for the anniversary, which has collected hundreds of citizen stories reflecting resilience, enterprise, and community pride. He cited examples of residents using opportunities provided by the state to create businesses and empower others.
Service commanders and security agencies were commended for maintaining peace, and residents were urged to participate in the anniversary’s grand finale scheduled for Tuesday, January 27, 2026. Fijabi and Oba Ladoja also reflected on the contributions of past leaders and unsung heroes to the state’s development trajectory.
The absences of the Alaafin and Soun, coupled with earlier disputes over the rotational council chairmanship, suggest ongoing tensions within Oyo’s traditional leadership. Nonetheless, Governor Makinde reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to inclusive governance, economic development, and citizen engagement as Oyo enters its next 50 years.