Young Yoruba King Graduates at 23, Seven Years After Ascending Throne

A traditional ruler in Ondo State, Oba Oloyede Adekoya Akinghare II, has graduated from Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, with a degree in Political Science, completing his university education seven years after becoming king at the age of 16.

The monarch, who is known as the Arujale-Ojima of Okeluse Kingdom, graduated at 23 during the university’s convocation ceremony held on Wednesday, October 21, 2026.

His graduation has drawn attention to his experience of combining formal education with the responsibilities of occupying a traditional throne while still a teenager.

Akinghare became the ruler of Okeluse Kingdom in 2019 following the death of his father. His emergence as king at 16 placed him among the youngest traditional rulers in Yorubaland.

Graduation ceremony attracts prominent traditional rulers

The convocation ceremony brought together university graduates, families, invited guests and prominent traditional rulers.

Among those reported to have attended were the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi; the Olowo of Owo, Oba Ajibade Gbadegesin Ogunoye III; the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe Aladesanmi III; and the Ogoga of Ikere-Ekiti, Oba Samuel Adejimi Adu Alagbado.

The gathering highlighted the importance attached to the monarch’s academic milestone and his position within the traditional institutions of southwestern Nigeria.

The university’s convocation reportedly saw 2,194 students graduate, making it the institution’s largest graduating class to date.

Combining education with royal responsibilities

For Akinghare, completing a university degree involved navigating two distinct responsibilities: pursuing an academic qualification and serving as the traditional ruler of his community.

Traditional rulers often have ceremonial, cultural and community responsibilities, which may include attending public events, engaging with community members and supporting local development initiatives. The demands vary between communities and depend on the traditions and expectations associated with each throne.

Akinghare’s graduation offers an example of a young traditional ruler continuing his formal education after assuming leadership responsibilities.

His academic achievement also draws attention to the place of education within traditional institutions, where cultural preservation and community leadership increasingly intersect with contemporary professional and academic life.

Political Science, the discipline in which he graduated, examines political institutions, governance, public policy and the organisation of power. The subject can provide students with a framework for understanding how governments and institutions operate, although the specific application of a degree depends on the graduate’s interests and future plans.

There has been no official announcement establishing how the monarch intends to apply his degree in his royal duties or whether he plans to pursue further studies.

A young monarch in the public eye

Akinghare’s age has made his journey a subject of public interest since his ascension to the throne.

In January 2026, the monarch also attracted attention after a palace statement addressed how members of the public should formally refer to him. The statement emphasised that his young age should not be interpreted as a reason to disregard the traditional status of his office.

His university graduation now adds another milestone to his public journey, highlighting his experience as both a student and a traditional ruler.

The achievement has also prompted public interest in how young people in positions of responsibility can continue their education while managing other commitments.

Education and traditional leadership

Across Nigeria, formal education and traditional leadership operate in different but sometimes overlapping spheres of public life. Traditional institutions retain cultural significance in many communities, while universities provide academic training that can support professional development and broader understanding of public affairs.

Akinghare’s graduation illustrates how these roles can coexist in an individual’s life. However, the experience of one monarch should not be taken as evidence that all traditional rulers face the same responsibilities or educational circumstances.

His achievement is first and foremost the completion of a university degree after years of study, undertaken while holding a position he assumed as a teenager.

The graduation marks a new stage in the monarch’s academic journey, seven years after he became the ruler of Okeluse Kingdom.