The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has sparked controversy after a viral video showed him removing his cap and holding it up while speaking about the existence of ancient Yoruba crowns.
In the video, the monarch opened up his cap as he made his point, arguing that there was no such thing as an ancient crown passed down from one king to another.
“There’s nothing like an ancient crown. Whenever a king dies, his children will take it away from the palace, and the next king will have to do another crown,” he said.
His remarks have attracted criticism from some Yoruba viewers, who consider his position a disregard for Yoruba cultural heritage and traditional kingship practices.
However, his supporters view his stance as part of his efforts to align Iwo’s customs with its Islamic roots.
The controversy has also renewed discussions about the monarch’s previous actions, including the reported removal of an 800-year-old deity from his palace, which generated debate over the relationship between religion and traditional practices.
The incident has further reignited conversations about the preservation of Yoruba traditions, the significance of royal regalia and the role of traditional rulers in safeguarding indigenous cultural heritage.