Between the echoes of drumming bata and the regal stride of ancestral spirits, Nigeria’s age-old thrones were dusted, revered, and inherited anew in the first five months of 2025.
From the savannah of Borno to the historic lands of Ijesaland and the ancient Oyo Empire, crowns were passed in ceremonies that bound yesterday’s glory to today’s politics and tomorrow’s hope.
Here is a comprehensive account of the coronation ceremonies of Nigerian monarchs that shaped the cultural and socio-political narrative of the country this year.
Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I: The Crown Returns to the Alaafin’s Stool
Date Crowned: April 5, 2025
Throne: Alaafin of Oyo, Oyo State
Significance: 46th Alaafin of the Oyo Empire
After nearly three years of royal interregnum, the Yoruba spiritual capital rejoiced as Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I was crowned the 46th Alaafin of Oyo, succeeding Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, who reigned for over 50 years before his passing in April 2022.
In a deeply spiritual rite known as Oro Ipebi, Oba Owoade underwent 21 days of seclusion to commune with the ancestors, guided by the custodians of the Alaafin’s heritage.
The coronation ceremony, held at the Olivet Baptist High School, was a grand convergence of Nigeria’s political and cultural elite. Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State led the official delegation, flanked by traditional leaders including the Ooni of Ife and the Sultan of Sokoto.
Days prior, Oyo buzzed with cultural parades, lectures on Yoruba civilization, and community projects including tree planting and health outreaches.
Oba Owoade’s reign begins at a time of renewed focus on traditional institutions’ roles in regional governance and youth empowerment. His early speeches signaled a modern monarch deeply rooted in history, but keenly aware of contemporary responsibilities.
Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup: Emergence of the Owa Obokun of Ijesaland
Date Crowned: May 23, 2025
Throne: Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijesaland, Osun State
The Owa Obokun stool is one of the most revered among Yoruba monarchies. When Oba Clement Adesuyi Haastrup, a seasoned corporate executive and philanthropist, was crowned as the new Owa Obokun, Ijesaland erupted in ten days of elaborate festivities — from special Jumat prayers and a thanksgiving service to cultural carnivals and a massive display of Ijesa identity.
However, his ascension was not without contention.
Two royal families — Ofokutu and Arimoro — filed objections claiming procedural irregularities, alleging that Haastrup’s selection did not follow the rotational order of ruling houses. Though the coronation went ahead with government backing, the matter is headed for the courts.
Regardless of the turmoil, Haastrup’s coronation pulled dignitaries from across Nigeria, with a heavy presence of corporate leaders, traditional rulers, and politicians including Osun State governor Ademola Adeleke. His reign is anticipated to blend business acumen with royal leadership.
Umar Kyari El-Kanemi: The Rebirth of Bama’s Monarchy Amid Conflict
Date Crowned: February 11, 2025
Throne: Shehu of Bama, Borno State
In Nigeria’s northeastern Borno State — a region still scarred by the Boko Haram insurgency — the installation of Umar Kyari El-Kanemi as the 23rd Shehu of Bama stood as a symbol of survival, peace, and resilience.
Bama’s traditional institution had long been disrupted by conflict. That the coronation went ahead — with attendance from the Sultan of Sokoto, Shehu of Borno, and high-ranking security officials — was an emblematic declaration of cultural restoration in a war-wearied land. The governor of Borno, Babagana Zulum, hailed the monarch as a beacon for reconciliation and reconstruction.
As Shehu, El-Kanemi now presides over a delicate blend of post-conflict mediation, youth rehabilitation, and cultural preservation in one of Nigeria’s most vulnerable zones.
Royal Anniversaries That Echoed Loudly
Oba Kamorudeen Ishola Animashaun: 25 Years of Regal Reign in Lagos’ Epe Division
Date Celebrated: February 22, 2025
Oba Animashaun’s silver jubilee and 80th birthday was a pageant of royalty, Lagos State tradition, and political tribute. The Oloja of Epe’s stewardship of the town has been credited with infrastructural renewal, youth development, and harmonious co-existence between settlers and indigenes. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu hailed the monarch’s legacy as “visionary, inclusive, and morally grounded.”
Igwe G. E. Ugbome II: Diamond Jubilee of a Power-Wielding Monarch
Date Celebrated: January 1, 2025 (60th Coronation Anniversary)
Location: Okpai Kingdom, Delta State
In a rarity across Africa, Igwe Ugbome II celebrated his 60th year on the throne. His kingdom, home to one of Nigeria’s largest independent power plants, has enjoyed significant socio-economic advancement under his watch. The monarch, installed in 1964, has lived through Nigeria’s military regimes, civil war, and multiple democratic transitions.
His anniversary — attended by top traditional rulers from across Nigeria — saw the commissioning of new schools and medical centers, reminders that longevity, when paired with vision, is a potent force.
Ovie Wilson Ojakovo Oharisi III: New Palace for a Veteran Monarch
Date Celebrated: April 24, 2025
Throne: Ovie of Ughelli Kingdom, Delta State
Celebrating 33 years on the throne, Ovie Oharisi III marked the milestone by unveiling a modern royal palace and a chapel in Ughelli, Delta State. A key figure in Urhobo cultural preservation, the monarch’s reign has seen an increase in educational sponsorships, cultural festivals, and inter-ethnic dialogue. His anniversary brought together over 20 traditional rulers in a royal congress-style meeting of Niger Delta kings.
Why These Coronations Matter
In a nation where modern governance often falters, traditional rulers still command loyalty, mobilize communities, and serve as cultural custodians. These coronations are more than ceremonial — they are sociopolitical rites of passage, drawing together the threads of history, governance, and cultural revival.
They reaffirm identity, invoke ancestral pride, and in many cases, offer the grassroots a more accessible and trusted form of leadership. Yet, they are also not immune to controversy, legal battles, and the challenges of adapting to Nigeria’s evolving democratic system.
Thrones Reimagined, Cultures Reawakened
Nigeria’s first five months of 2025 were not merely about coronations — they were about cultural rebirth. They showed that while time moves forward, tradition still holds power. As these monarchs settle into their new or continued roles, the expectations on them are heavy: to act as agents of unity, champions of development, and bearers of legacy.
For a country constantly seeking equilibrium between its past and future, these thrones — and the men who now sit upon them — could be the balance keepers.
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