The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, has lauded the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) for its plan to recognise Oyo as a World Heritage Site of Outstanding Universal Value, describing the move as a major step towards preserving and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people.

The monarch gave the commendation while addressing Yoruba scholars, cultural leaders, government officials, traditional custodians and members of the Yoruba diaspora at Bahia State University (UNEB) in Brazil.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye, the Alaafin said the proposed recognition would further project the historical significance of the ancient Oyo Empire and its contributions to governance, civilisation and intellectual development.

According to him, the Yoruba civilisation remains one of Africa’s richest cultural traditions, with an enduring legacy that continues to influence political, economic, religious and intellectual development across the world.

Oba Owoade said the Yoruba knowledge system was built on inquiry, research, investigation and the practical application of knowledge to solving human challenges, adding that the civilisation had remained relevant across generations because of its strong intellectual foundation.

“A careful reading of the Yoruba intellectual traditions would reveal an uncommon commitment to inquiry, research, investigation and the functional application of knowledge in solving human existential problems,” he said.
The Alaafin urged world leaders to support efforts aimed at reconnecting Yoruba descendants in the diaspora with their ancestral roots, saying such initiatives would help preserve the identity, culture and values of the race.

He described the Yoruba as heirs to an ancient civilisation renowned for its artistic excellence, sophisticated institutions of government, vibrant commerce and rich oral traditions, noting that its cultural influence extends beyond Nigeria to Brazil, Cuba and other parts of the Americas.

The monarch recalled that the old Oyo Empire developed one of Africa’s most organised systems of governance, anchored on constitutional principles, separation of powers and checks and balances, which enabled it to flourish for more than six centuries.
According to him, the empire’s political structure remains a reference point in the study of governance and public administration.
Oba Owoade also emphasised his commitment to preserving Yoruba heritage, saying the Alaafin occupies a unique position as the custodian of the history, culture and civilisation of the Yoruba people.

“I am here as the conscience, symbol and spirit of the Yoruba and the personification of its glorious traditions of excellent public administration, social welfarism and egalitarian social and kinship systems,” he said.

The monarch called for renewed investment in Yoruba intellectual traditions and knowledge production, stressing that Africa must play a leading role in shaping global discourse through education, research and innovation.

The event also featured the presentation of a trilingual book titled Oyo: A City of Yoruba Cultural Heritage, published in Yoruba, English and Portuguese, in recognition of the enduring historical and cultural significance of the ancient city.