The late Alaafin of Oyo had not less than eighteen wives during his lifetime. These wives, including Rahmat, Adedayo, Mujidat, Rukayat, Folashade, Badirat Ajoke, Memunat, Omobolanle, Moji, Anuoluwapo, and Damilola are now free to remarry following his death.
Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, the 45th Alaafin of Oyo, passed away in the late hours of Friday, April 22, 2022. He was popular as the longest-reigning Alaafin ever, having ruled for more than 51 years. He was also well-known for the large number of beautiful wives that he married. So, what happened to these wives in the aftermath of his demise? Come, let’s find out together.
How Many Wives Did Alaafin of Oyo Have?
There is no accurate estimate of the number of wives that the Alaafin of Oyo had, as there has been speculation that there are women he married secretly. However, based on public announcements and media coverage, it is believed that the Alaafin of Oyo had 18 wives.
Each of these wives is known as Olori, which means queen consort or princess consort – a title of honor within the chieftaincy system of the Yorubas. While the late monarch was quite popular, not much has been said about his wives and children. This could be the reason why there are controversies over how many wives this respected monarch has.
Aside from the few known Oloris, there are claims that the late monarch married more wives secretly. In 2021, he was reportedly spotted with a beautiful woman rumored to be his new wife. However, according to reliable sources, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, the 45th Alaafin of Oyo, was married to 18 wives, and he was blessed with scores of children.
Now that the Alaafin of Oyo is dead, his many beautiful wives are free to remarry after fulfilling traditional sacred rites of atonements and disassociating themselves from the palace. This was clarified by the Ifa of Oyo.
List of Alaafin of Oyo’s Wives
The exact number and names of the late Alaafin of Oyo’s wives have not been made public, but the ones known to the public are
- Ayaba Abibat Adeyemi,
- Ayaba Rahmat Adedayo Adeyemi,
- Ayaba Mujidat Adeyemi,
- Ayaba Rukayat Adeyemi,
- Ayaba Folashade Adeyemi,
- Ayaba Badirat Ajoke Adeyemi,
- Ayaba Memunat Omowunmi Adeyemi,
- Ayaba Omobolanle Adeyemi,
- Ayaba Moji Adeyemi,
- Ayaba Anuoluwapo Adeyemi,
- Ayaba Damilola Adeyemi
Meet Alaafin of Oyo’s First Wife
- Age: 85 years old
- Married on: 1956
- Occupation: Tailor
- Children: 5, including Princess Folashade Adeyemi and Prince Babatunde Israel Adeyemi
Olori Abibat Adeyemi (nee Oladele) is the first wife of the Late Alaafin of Oyo. According to reports, Abibat was married to the late king for over 60 years, and she was fondly called Iya Adodo. Ayaba Abibat Niyinlola Adeyemi was not just the monarch’s wife, but she was also the pillar behind Alaafin Adeyemi. As the first wife, she has many traditional roles she plays in the palace.
While not much is known about Olori’s birth and family background, it said that she met and married the Oba when she was in secondary school at the age of 17. Their meeting was reportedly orchestrated by Alaafin’s late younger sister, who was attending the same school with Ayaba sometime in 1956 before Alaafin ascended the throne of his forefathers in 1970.
She lived with her husband in Lagos, where he worked with an insurance company. There, she learned how to sew and became a trained tailor. With the king, Ayaba Abibat had five children — three girls and two boys. She had her first three children while living with her husband in Lagos, and the rest came thereafter.
Two of her well-known children are Prince Babatunde Israel Adeyemi — a qualified lawyer, devoted pastor, and first son of Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; Princess Folashade Adeyemi (fondly called Arewa Omoba) — a women leader in Oyo State and C.E.O Arewa House of Culture, a company that deals on cultural promotions and seminars
Alaafin of Oyo’s Second Wife
- Age: 80 years old
- Married on: 1956
- Occupation: Seamstress
- Children: Taibat Adeyemi
Queen Ramat Adeyemi is Alaafin of Oyo’s second wife. She is a seamstress born in Lagos on June 30th, 1943, which means that she is about four years younger than the Oba’s first wife. She was married to the late king in Lagos long before he ascended the royal throne.
Further details about Olori Ramat’s family background are not known, but according to reports, she met the king through one of his sisters named Nihinola, who at the time was training at the same school as her. Olori Ramat is also blessed with many children, including her daughter Taibat Adeyemi.
Meet Oba Lamidi’s Igbo Wife
Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, the 45th Alaafin of Oyo, was not only famous as one of the monarchs with many wives but also as one who went out of his region and culture to marry an Igbo woman. In 2021, the monarch reportedly took a new bride named Chioma.
Although further details about Olori Chioma and her union with the king are yet to be revealed, it is said that she was added to the king’s long list of wives in 2021 amid reports of the marital crisis rocking his palace.
Olori Chioma Adeyemi’s name came to light after popular Fuji musician Wasiu Ayinde praised the monarch and also mentioned her name. She was later spotted with the late king at the coronation of Real Estate Giant Chief Tomori Williams as the Aare Onikoyi of Yorubaland.
Alaafin of Oyo’s Wives’ Pictures
Were Alaafin of Oyo’s Wives in London?
The Alaafin of Oyo’s wives were in London in 2014 to celebrate his birthday. Oba Lamidi III is known for showing off his multiple wives, especially at events and important locations. One such occasion was during one of his visits to London, taking four of his wives along.
The Alaafin rarely attended events without his most senior wives or some of his junior wives by his side, so it was not surprising to find his wives – Ayaba Memunat Adeyemi, Ayaba Folashade Adeyemi, Ayaba Badirat Adeyemi, and Ayaba Aanu Adeyemi by his side.
This happened in 2014 when the Oba proudly flaunted his beautiful wives while celebrating his 76th birthday. As expected, their presence in the European city did not go unnoticed, as many people stopped them on their tour to pay their respects to the oba and to pose for photos. Even before they touched down in London, photos of them taken at the Lagos international airport generated so much buzz online.
Aside from their shopping sprees, the Oloris made the Alaafin’s birthday celebration a memorable one by treating him to a manicure before watching a movie. They were also seen attending a training session held by African Boxing Union champion Larry Ekundayo. Other places they were seen together include Buckingham Palace and the famous Westfield Mall