A happy birthday to His Imperial Majesty Oba Dr. Lamidi Adeyemi III, Alaafin of Oyo Kingdom.

His Royal Majesty who is celebrating his 81st birthday on October 15th to HRM the late Oba Adeyemi II Adeniran and Olori Ibironke of Epo compound. At his birth, many saw him as a future monarch and taking over the throne due to the lacerations on his left breast and the spots on his legs, which were similar and on the same spots as that of Lamidi Olayiwola.

Prior to taking over the throne from HRM Oba Gbadegesin Ladigbolu II(who succeeded over the Alaafin's father who was deposed and exile), he began his training first was a multiple faith training in Quranic and Christian knowledge, then furthering his royal training at various monarchs' homes, he was to study law in the United Kingdom but a few hours prior to his departures, his father passed away. He then studied insurance and became an insurance executive in Lagos.

In 1968, he was amongst one of 10 princes of the Adeyemi Alowolodo Ruling house to produce the Alaafin following the death of Oba Bello Gbadegesin Ladigbolu after 12 years on the throne. The late Oba hailed from the Agunloye ruling house.

The keen competition did not end until November 18th, 1970, when he was officially pronounced the Alaafin of Oyo at the age of 32 years and was crowned on January 14th, 1971.

HIM with his wives

HIM with his younger wives

Before his ascension to the throne, he was married to two wives, Alhaja Olori Habibat Adeyemi (Iya Dodo) and Alhaja Olori Rahamat Adeyemi (Iya Ile Koto). Through his reign, he is now blessed with other wives, many children and grandchildren. Amongst his children are prominent:

HRH Prince Akeem Adeniyi Adeyemi(Nigeria Federal House of Representative of Afijio, Oyo West, Oyo East, Atiba West federal constituency)

HRH Prince Babatunde Israel Adeyemi(lawyer and pastor also married to Oyo state Supreme court judge HRH Princess and Justice Omolara Adeyemi),

HRH Princess Folashade Adeyemi(CEO of Arewa House of Culture and leader of women in Oyo).

HRH Princess Taibat Adeyemi-Agaba: prominent business woman.

HRH Princess Adetutu Adeyemi-Aigbe: Forming Oyo State commissioner for culture.

HRH Prince Adetona Adeyemi: Also known as Tillaman, prominent musician.

HRH Prince Adebayo Adeyemi: Successful professional photographer in the United Kingdom also known as bambino. And many others


He is the longest serving Alaafin and one of the longest serving first class monarch of Nigeria. He is also on the forefront of peace and security initiatives both in Oyo state and around Nigeria. He supports various initiatives and is patron to others.