Alaafin of Oyo (Oba Lamidi Adeyemi) Biography, profile, age, demise, spouses, further information.
On October 15, 1938, Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi, the current Alaafin of Oyo from the Adeyemi lineage of the Alowolodu clan, was born. He is the reigning Alaafin of Oyo, the esteemed traditional kingdom of the Yoruba people situated in present-day Oyo State, Nigeria. He spent a brief period of his early years in Iseyin, where he acquired the fundamental principles of Islam.
Alaafin of Oyo (Oba Lamidi Adeyemi): Profile Summary
| Name | Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi |
| Intro | Traditional authority of the Yoruba region in Oyo, Nigeria |
| Occupation | Monarch |
| From | Nigeria |
| Type | Royal |
| Gender | male |
| Birth | 15 October 1938 |
| Age: | 83 years |
| Date of Demise | 22 April 2022 |
Alaafin of Oyo (Oba Lamidi Adeyemi): Biography & Profile
Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi (Adeyemi III) came into the world on October 15, 1938, to the Adeyemi branch of the Alowolodu clan. His father, Oba Adeyemi II, the former Alaafin of Oyo, was ousted and exiled in 1954 due to his ties with the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC). Oba Adeyemi II faced a conflict with the then-deputy leader of the Action Group.
Adeyemi III currently holds the position of Alaafin of Oyo, the venerated traditional empire of the Yoruba community in modern Oyo State, Nigeria.
Alaafin of Oyo (Oba Lamidi Adeyemi): Age
Oba Lamidi Adeyemi is currently 83 years old.
Alaafin of Oyo (Oba Lamidi Adeyemi): Early Life
During his later childhood years, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi temporarily lived in Iseyin, where he absorbed the essential teachings of Islam.
Alaafin of Oyo (Oba Lamidi Adeyemi): Career Journey
Oba Lamidi Adeyemi succeeded Alaafin Gbadegesin Ladigbolu II in 1971, shortly after the conclusion of the Nigerian civil conflict, under the governance of Colonel Robert Adeyinka Adebayo. At that time, he was working as an insurance clerk. In alignment with the customary procedure for appointing a new Alaafin following the death of Alaafin Bello Gbadegesin, the Oyomesi consulted Oranlola (Baba Iwo) of Alowolodu to deliberate on the next Alaafin. He then convened a family gathering within the Alowolodu royal house. During this assembly, he shared insights from his conversations with the Oyomesi and endorsed his son, Sanda ‘Ladepo. The family unanimously supported this suggestion, except for Baba Salami Dudu, who advocated for Prince Lamidi Adeyemi, a descendant of Alaafin Adeyemi Adeniran II. The rivalry for the throne escalated, drawing numerous princes from the prominent royal families of Oyo, such as Aremo Sanni Gbadegesin, Prince Olanite Ajagba, Prince Afonja Ilaka, Prince Lamidi Adeyemi, and Prince Sanda ‘Ladepo Oranlola.
Ultimately, after navigating various challenges, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi Olayiwola III ascended as the Alaafin of Oyo in 1970 and was crowned on January 14, 1971. He triumphed over ten rivals following an extensive vetting process. However, it was observed that political involvement influenced the selection, as the existing government “refused to endorse my appointment, claiming the procedure was inadequate,” according to this notable monarch in one of his numerous interviews. Consequently, the selection process was restarted, yielding the same outcome repeatedly on subsequent attempts. Despite increasing pressure from the opposing faction of the Oyomesi instigated by the government, the Oyomesi remained steadfast. The process was postponed until after the civil war, at which point the entire selection was resumed anew. To the relief of many and the displeasure of the opposition, Oba Adeyemi III was proclaimed the victor and was ultimately appointed by the kingmakers on November 18, 1970, moving into the palace after completing the necessary rituals under the guidance of the Oyomesi.
In 1980, the Federal Government designated Oba Adeyemi as the inaugural Chancellor of the newly founded University of Sokoto, presently recognized as Uthman Dan Fodio University, Sokoto, for an initial term of four years. At the end of this term, the university’s senate and council recommended him for reappointment. The president and visitor to the university graciously accepted this recommendation, extending his tenure for a second term. Notably, upon completing this second term, he was appointed for yet another, his third, resulting in a total of 12 years as the university’s Chancellor, a feat unparalleled in the history of chancellorship in Nigerian universities.
Alaafin of Oyo (Oba Lamidi Adeyemi): Personal Life, Spouses & Children
Oba Lamidi Adeyemi has three wives, Alhaja Olori Abibat Adeyemi (Iya Dodo) and Alhaja Olori Rahmat Adedayo Adeyemi (Iya Ilekoto), prior to ascending the throne of his ancestors. His recognized children include the late Alhaja Kudirat Akofade Erediuwa, Barrister Babatunde Adeyemi, Princess Folasade Arewaomoba, Princess Taibat Adeyemi, Prince Nurudeen Adesegun Adeyemi, Prince Akeem Adeniyi Adeyemi (Skimeh), and Prince Adebayo Fatai Adeyemi. Currently, he has seven wives and is a boxing enthusiast, having boxed before ascending to his father’s throne. In February 2018, the 80-year-old monarch welcomed a set of twins with one of his younger spouses, Memunat.
His offspring are thriving in various fields; Prince Akeem Adeyemi, also recognized as Skimeh, served two terms as Chairman of Atiba Local Government and presently represents Afijio/Oyo East/Oyo West/Atiba Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives; Princess Adetutu Adeyemi-Akhigbe held the position of Commissioner of Culture during Governor Ajimobi’s initial term; and Princess Folasade Adeyemi, a cultural ambassador and CEO of Arewa House of Culture.
Alaafin of Oyo (Oba Lamidi Adeyemi): Quick Facts about the Alaafin of Oyo
1. The Alaafin, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, was born on October 15, 1938.
2. He is the first Alaafin of Oyo to wed an Igbo woman or seek a partner outside Yoruba territory.
3. With his most recent wife, Lamidi Adeyemi now has 13 wives, including Abibat, Rahmat Adedayo, Mujidat, Rukayat, Folashade, Badirat Ajoke, Memunat Omowunmi, Omobolanle, Moji Anuoluwapo, and Damilola.
4. Lamidi’s father, Oba Adeyemi II Adeniran, was deposed and exiled in 1954 due to his support for the National Council of Nigerian Citizens (NCNC).
He had conflicts with Bode Thomas, the deputy leader of the Action Group.
5. Oba Adeyemi was removed as the permanent chairman of the Council of Obas and Chiefs in Oyo State on May 3, 2011, by then-governor Adebayo Alao-Akala.
The Alaafin lent his support to the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) during the April 2011 elections.
6. Lamidi Adeyemi was a boxer prior to assuming his ancestral seat.
7. He succeeded Alaafin Gbadegesin Ladigbolu II in 1970, during Colonel Robert Adeyinka Adebayo’s administration.
This took place after the close of the Nigerian Civil War.
8. He held the position of chancellor at Uthman Dan Fodio University in Sokoto from 1980 to 1992.
9. In 1990, President Ibrahim Babangida appointed him Amir-ul-Hajj, recognizing his commitment to fortifying Islam in Nigeria.
10. He was part of the entourage of the late Head of State General
Murtala Mohammed during Hajj in 1975.
Alaafin of Oyo (Oba Lamidi Adeyemi): Net Worth
The current net worth of the Alaafin of Oyo (Oba Lamidi Adeyemi) has not been revealed by Forbes. He is a wealthy Yoruba ruler estimated to be worth billions of naira. The Alaafin of Oyo is counted among the most affluent kings in Nigeria. He is a revered first-class monarch in Nigeria and has consistently led the Yoruba community for numerous years. The Alaafin of Oyo is also a thriving entrepreneur, possessing various real estate assets in Nigeria and abroad.
Alaafin of Oyo (Oba Lamidi Adeyemi): Other Titles
Alaafin of Oyo (Oba Lamidi Adeyemi) is acknowledged and referred to by several titles such as Kabiyesi, meaning “the Sovereign Who Is Beyond Doubt,” Iku Baba Yeye, which can be interpreted as “The One Who Commands Death” or “Bestows the Same Upon His Parents” or “The Parent to Death,” Alashe, which denotes “One Who Holds Authority,” and Ekeji Orisha, meaning “second-in-command to the deities.”
Alaafin of Oyo (Oba Lamidi Adeyemi): Honours
Alaafin of Oyo (Oba Lamidi Adeyemi) possesses the Nigerian national honor of Commander of the Order of the Federal Republic (CFR). He was also the one who appointed the late Bashorun Moshood Kashimawo Olawale Abiola (MKO) as the Aare Ona Kakanfo (Field Marshal or Generalissimo) of Yorubaland in 1988. Additionally, the Alaafin of Oyo honored the talented singer, Salawa Abeni, whom he recognized as the Queen of Waka Music in 1992.
Alaafin of Oyo (Oba Lamidi Adeyemi): Chancellor Of Uthman Dan Fodiyo University, Sokoto
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Atanda Adeyemi III, acted as the chancellor of Uthman Dan Fodiyo University, Sokoto from 1980 to 1992. In 1990, he was awarded the title of Amir-ul-Hajj by the then military president, Ibrahim Babangida. The Alaafin of Oyo and the Ooni of Ile Ife are considered the two most prominent Yoruba monarchs.
Alaafin of Oyo (Oba Lamidi Adeyemi): Death
Alaafin of Oyo Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, the third descendant of the Alowodu Ruling House, departed this life on the evening of Friday, 22nd April 2022, at the Afe Babalola University Teaching Hospital in Ado Ekiti, the capital city of Ekiti State in South-West Nigeria.
According to insiders from the palace, the remains of the distinguished Yoruba traditional leader were conveyed to Oyo town, approximately 62 kilometers from Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, in the early hours of Saturday, 23rd April 2022, where customary rites began.
He was 83 years old and the longest-serving Alaafin in documented history, having reigned for 52 years.
