The burial of the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, according to Islamic rites, has caused a division within Yoruba royalty, raising questions about the balance between tradition and personal faith.

Oba Adetona passed away on July 13, 2025, and was buried the following day at his residence in Ogbagba, Ijebu-Ode, following a prayer led by the Chief Imam of Ijebuland.
According to Chief Rasaki Osimodi, the Olowa Iberu and Chief Priest of Ijebuland, the traditionalists who attended were members of the Osugbo cult.

Security forces barred traditionalists from participating in the burial, enforcing a decision made by the Lisa, the Awujale second-in-command, who instructed them to leave peacefully if turned away.
“In fact, many more traditionalists wanted to come to Oba Adetona’s private residence, where he was buried that day, but the Lisa prevailed upon them not to, citing a specific instruction given by the Awujale himself before his death. Lisa said that Oba Adetona had directed that Muslims must bury him and, additionally, soldiers had been stationed around the town. So, what could anyone do?

“It was the government that signed an agreement with Baba Awujale stating that he must be buried according to Islamic rites. If not for the government’s backing, the Osugbo society would have taken possession of the body because, traditionally, it belongs to them. The late king’s children claim he did not associate with us, the traditionalists. But we know that Kabiyesi did partake in our rites — and he left obligations unpaid”.

The late monarch had advocated for the Obas and Chiefs Law of Ogun State 2021, which allows royal fathers to choose their burial methods. This law grants traditional rulers the right to be buried according to their personal beliefs and prohibits harmful practices. Oba Adetona’s wishes regarding his burial rites were fully honored.

In response to the burial of the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, the Oluwo of Iwoland, Oba Abdulrasheed Adewale Akanbi, announced a new era where the bodies of deceased kings will no longer face indignities. He praised the symbolic significance of the Ijebu monarch’s burial according to Islamic rites, allowing Yoruba kings to choose their burial preferences. In a statement from his Press Secretary, Alli Ibraheem, Oba Akanbi deemed the actions of the Awujale, his family, and Governor Abiodun a victory for the Yoruba people. He noted that towns wishing to disrespect their kings after death should appoint a herbalist or a member of the Osugbo or Ogboni cults.

Similarly, Oba Qomarudeen Adeyanju, the Olororuwo of Ororuwo, stated that a king is crowned while alive, and upon death, they should be buried according to their religious beliefs, not confined to specific traditions

He said, “It should be noted that each monarch has his own religion that dictates his relationship with God. It is therefore wrong to make traditional burial rites compulsory for a deceased king because it was not stipulated in the agreement before his coronation as king. Though things may differ from one locality to another, for me, the most important thing is that a king should have the freedom to decide how he wishes to be buried. In my town, previous traditional rulers were buried in line with their religion, most of whom were Christians. For instance, my predecessor was a Christian king, and he was buried in the church, and no traditional burial rites were done. There was also another king who ruled for 44 years (1927 -1971), who was a Christian while alive and was buried in accordance with Christian rites.