Chief Dotun Sanusi, the Chairman and CEO of Ilaji Sports and Resorts, has shared video and photographic evidence from the ceremony where he was conferred with the title Okanlomo of Oodua, amid an ongoing debate between the Alaafin of Oyo stool and the Ooni of Ife over rights of chieftaincy conferments.
The Ibadan businessman and philanthropist posted the materials on his social media page, drawing wide attention. In the circulating video, Sanusi is seen celebrating with family, associates, and well-wishers while traditional performers repeatedly chant “Okanlomo of Oodua.” The clip captures the jubilation surrounding the honour but does not feature the Ooni himself.
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Alongside the footage, however, Sanusi released photos from the event showing the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, present, together with other traditional rulers and dignitaries who attended the conferment.
The visual evidence was widely interpreted as an attempt to emphasize that the title came directly from the Ooni, countering narratives that suggested otherwise.
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Reactions in the comment section of his post reflected the polarized debate. While some applauded Sanusi for clarifying the origin of the title, others questioned the propriety of the Ooni’s action, citing longstanding traditions about the Alaafin’s authority over certain titles.
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Earlier, Sanusi had explained in his caption that the honour bestowed on him was “Okanlomo Oodua” and not “Okanlomo of Yorubaland” as initially reported in sections of the media.
He stressed that the title came from the Ooni of Ife in recognition of his contributions to cultural preservation and economic development within Yorubaland.
The event itself took place at Ilaji Resort in Ibadan during the unveiling of 2GEDA, Nigeria’s first indigenous social media and business networking platform. The ceremony combined cultural pageantry with modern innovation, with traditional rulers lending their presence to endorse both the title conferment and the platform launch.
The Alaafin had rejected the Ooni’s move, claiming only his palace holds the authority to bestow pan-Yoruba titles, issuing a 48-hour ultimatum through his spokesman, and demanding the Ooni revoke the honour.
The development adds a new dimension to the Alaafin–Ooni discourse, with Sanusi’s video and photo releases serving as a public reaffirmation of where his title originated. The controversy, however, underscores broader questions about overlapping royal jurisdictions in Yoruba traditional institutions.
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