The Alaafin of Oyo, Akeem Owoade, has refuted allegations by a University of Ibadan academic that he arrived three hours late without an apology to a recent university event, explaining through his media office that his attendance followed a pre-agreed timetable.
The controversy stems from an article published Wednesday on the Toyin Falola Network by Ademola Dasylva, a professor at UI. Dasylva strongly criticised the monarch’s conduct at the 14 July 2026 inauguration of the Alaafin Institute of Yoruba Studies at Emmanuel Alayande University of Education, Oyo, describing the delay as disrespectful and at odds with Yoruba royal values.
According to Dasylva, guests and dignitaries were kept waiting for over three hours after the programme’s advertised 9:55 am arrival time passed, with the monarch eventually arriving at 12:20 pm. Expressing particular disappointment at the lack of an apology, the academic wrote: “Unfortunately, not a word of apology for the lateness of the Imperial Majesty and his entourage, either by his spokesperson or directly by His Imperial Majesty!” He added: “I do know that many uncultured Nigerian politicians who have refused to outgrow their adult delinquency regularly do that a lot… However, may I say in all humility, it is least expected of a foremost Yoruba monarch”.
Responding in a statement issued on Saturday, Bode Durojaiye, Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin, dismissed the professor’s remarks as reckless, slanderous, and culturally insensitive. Durojaiye explained that the Palace had formally communicated in advance to university organisers that the monarch, who was travelling alongside other paramount obas from outside the state, could not arrive before midday.
“Consequently, it was made unequivocally clear that His Imperial Majesty’s entourage could not arrive earlier than 12:00noon or 1pm,” Durojaiye stated: “This communication was not an afterthought. It was made deliberately and in good faith to enable proper planning.”
Faulting the academic for failing to verify facts with event organisers, the palace spokesperson pointed out: “Prof. Dasylva is not the convener of the event. He was not part of the protocol team. He was not privy to the correspondence between the Palace and the University.”
Durojaiye further defended the monarch’s conduct, asking: “Must we now demand that the Custodian of our heritage abandon royal procedure to satisfy individual impatience? Must we trade 700 years of institutional dignity for a wristwatch?”
The palace noted that while it recognised the professor’s academic standing, “scholarship without humility becomes arrogance.” Demanding a full retraction and apology, Durojaiye concluded: “The Alaafin did not come ‘late.’ He came according to schedule, as duly communicated. To say otherwise is to bear false witness.”