OLUWO OF IWO DEFENDS REMOVAL OF ROYAL CROWN, CALLS CLAIMS OF SPIRITUAL POWERS FALSE

By NaijaParrot October 12, 2026 

 IWO, OSUN STATE —

The Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, has reignited debate over Yoruba royal traditions after reportedly describing kings’ crowns as ordinary caps and rejecting claims that they necessarily possess traditional spiritual powers. In remarks circulating online, the monarch urged the public not to believe that kings cannot remove their crowns. He also dismissed the idea that every crown worn by a traditional ruler is a spiritual object. Explaining why he had removed his headwear, Oluwo said he did so to praise God, whom he described as the owner of his life. The monarch’s comments come amid renewed public discussion about the significance of royal crowns, following reports of his remarks on ancestral crowns and the practice of making new crowns when a monarch ascends the throne.

In the reported statement, the monarch described claims about the spiritual powers of royal crowns as false and maintained that the headwear could be removed. He also argued that the crown he wore belonged to him and was not inherited from a predecessor. The comments reflect his broader position that a monarch’s authority comes from God rather than from objects or traditional spiritual practices. In an October 10 report, Osun Defender quoted Oluwo as saying that a new king makes his own crown rather than retaining the crown of a deceased predecessor. The report said he made the remarks while hosting Islamic clerics at his palace. 

 Oluwo has previously spoken publicly about his religious convictions and his interpretation of the relationship between kingship and worship. In a 2024 interview with The Punch, the monarch described physical crowns as symbols and argued that a king’s deeper authority comes from God. He also expressed opposition to the worship of traditional deities. His latest reported remarks have once again brought these views into the public conversation. However, Yoruba royal traditions vary across communities, and crowns may carry historical, ceremonial and cultural meanings beyond their physical appearance. Some royal regalia are also preserved as links to previous generations and the history of particular kingdoms. Consequently, the monarch’s personal interpretation should not automatically be taken as representing the beliefs and practices of every Yoruba traditional institution. 

 The debate surrounding royal crowns touches on questions of cultural heritage, religious freedom and the responsibilities of traditional rulers as custodians of their communities’ customs. For some, a crown is primarily a symbol of authority and identity. For others, particular crowns have sacred or spiritual significance that must be respected. Oluwo’s position challenges the latter interpretation, while his remarks underscore the differences that can arise when personal religious convictions intersect with inherited cultural practices.  

The monarch explained that he had removed his headwear to praise God, rather than for the reasons he attributed to other kings in his remarks. His statement included a provocative reference to monarchs removing their crowns during intimate encounters. That assertion was part of his remarks and has not been independently verified. The central message of his statement was that he did not consider his physical crown an object that should prevent him from expressing his devotion to God. 

 Oluwo’s remarks have renewed debate over the significance of royal crowns in Yoruba society and the relationship between traditional authority and religious belief. While the monarch has presented his position as a rejection of what he considers misconceptions about crowns, the historical and cultural significance attached to royal regalia remains an important part of discussions about Yoruba heritage.

  NaijaParrot will continue to follow the discussion and report verified developments. 

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