Alaafin Confirms September 5 for Adeduntan’s Installation as Balogun of Oyo
His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, the Alaafin of Oyo, has confirmed Saturday, September 5, 2026, as the date for the installation of renowned corporate leader, investor and philanthropist, Oloye (Dr.) Adesola Kazeem Adeduntan, as the Balogun of Oyo.
The installation, which was initially scheduled for July, was postponed following the tragic abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. With the victims now reunited with their families and the affected communities gradually recovering, preparations have resumed for the historic ceremony.
The event will take place at the Palace of the Alaafin in Oyo, where invited guests have been requested to appear in wine and gold attire.
The Balogun title is one of the most prestigious traditional offices in the ancient Oyo Empire, symbolising courage, leadership, integrity and dedicated public service. Dr. Adeduntan succeeds the late Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo, the distinguished mathematician, statesman and former Governor of old Oyo State, who held the revered title with distinction.
A native of Ibadan, Dr. Adeduntan graduated from the University of Ibadan with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree before transitioning into finance. He later earned an MBA from Cranfield University in the United Kingdom as a British Chevening Scholar and built an accomplished career with Arthur Andersen, KPMG, Citibank, the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and FirstBank.
At AFC, he served as pioneer Director, Chief Financial Officer and Business Manager, playing a key role in establishing the institution as one of Africa’s leading development finance organisations. He also spearheaded the strategy that secured the Corporation’s investment-grade A3 credit rating from Moody’s in 2014.
Dr. Adeduntan joined FirstBank as Group Chief Financial Officer before becoming Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer in 2016. During his tenure, he championed digital transformation, strengthened corporate governance and risk management, expanded financial inclusion and reinforced the bank’s operations across Africa and the United Kingdom.
Following his retirement from FirstBank in 2024, he founded Sequoia Holdings Limited, an investment group with interests in strategic minerals, professional services, energy and long-term investment platforms. Through Sequoia Professional Services Limited, he also advises governments, corporate organisations and investors on governance, leadership, institutional transformation and strategy.
Beyond the corporate world, Dr. Adeduntan has remained committed to philanthropy through the Adesola Adeduntan Foundation, which focuses on improving access to quality healthcare and education. The Foundation is currently supporting the construction of modern primary healthcare centres within the palace complexes of the Olubadan of Ibadanland and the Alaafin of Oyo.
His commitment to education also informed his appointment in 2025 as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of Abiola Ajimobi Technical University, Ibadan, where he provides strategic leadership to strengthen governance, industry collaboration and institutional sustainability.
A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Dr. Adeduntan has attended executive leadership programmes at Harvard Business School, Oxford, Cambridge, Wharton, London Business School, CEIBS and INSEAD. He has also received honorary Doctor of Science degrees from both Cranfield University and the University of Ibadan in recognition of his outstanding contributions to business, institutional leadership and national development.
The Balogun title will complement his existing traditional title of Apesinola of Ibadanland, further strengthening his ties to two of Yorubaland’s foremost traditional institutions.
Many observers see the conferment as recognition of Dr. Adeduntan’s remarkable contributions to nation-building, institutional development and public service. His installation on September 5 is expected to usher in a new chapter of leadership that blends modern corporate excellence with the enduring traditions and values of the ancient Oyo Kingdom.
His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, the Alaafin of Oyo, has confirmed Saturday, September 5, 2026, as the date for the installation of renowned corporate leader, investor and philanthropist, Oloye (Dr.) Adesola Kazeem Adeduntan, as the Balogun of Oyo.
The installation, which was initially scheduled for July, was postponed following the tragic abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State. With the victims now reunited with their families and the affected communities gradually recovering, preparations have resumed for the historic ceremony.
The event will take place at the Palace of the Alaafin in Oyo, where invited guests have been requested to appear in wine and gold attire.
The Balogun title is one of the most prestigious traditional offices in the ancient Oyo Empire, symbolising courage,leadership, integrity and dedicated public service. Dr. Adeduntan succeeds the late Dr. Victor Omololu Olunloyo, the distinguished mathematician, statesman and former Governor of old Oyo State, who held the revered title with distinction.
A native of Ibadan, Dr. Adeduntan graduated from the University of Ibadan with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) degree before transitioning into finance. He later earned an MBA from Cranfield University in the United Kingdom as a British Chevening Scholar and built an accomplished career with Arthur Andersen, KPMG, Citibank, the Africa Finance Corporation (AFC) and FirstBank.
At AFC, he served as pioneer Director, Chief Financial Officer and Business Manager, playing a key role in establishing the institution as one of Africa’s leading development finance organisations. He also spearheaded the strategy that secured the Corporation’s investment-grade A3 credit rating from Moody’s in 2014.
Dr. Adeduntan joined FirstBank as Group Chief Financial Officer before becoming Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer in 2016. During his tenure, he championed digital transformation, strengthened corporate governance and risk management, expanded financial inclusion and reinforced the bank’s operations across Africa and the United Kingdom.
Following his retirement from FirstBank in 2024, he founded Sequoia Holdings Limited, an investment group with interests in strategic minerals, professional services, energy and long-term investment platforms. Through Sequoia Professional Services Limited, he also advises governments, corporate organisations and investors on governance, leadership, institutional transformation and strategy.
Beyond the corporate world, Dr. Adeduntan has remained committed to philanthropy through the Adesola Adeduntan Foundation, which focuses on improving access to quality healthcare and education. The Foundation is currently supporting the construction of modern primary healthcare centres within the palace complexes of the Olubadan of Ibadanland and the Alaafin of Oyo.
His commitment to education also informed his appointment in 2025 as Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of Council of Abiola Ajimobi Technical University, Ibadan, where he provides strategic leadership to strengthen governance, industry collaboration and institutional sustainability.
A Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Dr. Adeduntan has attended executive leadership programmes at Harvard Business School, Oxford, Cambridge, Wharton, London Business School, CEIBS and INSEAD. He has also received honorary Doctor of Science degrees from both Cranfield University and the University of Ibadan in recognition of his outstanding contributions to business, institutional leadership and national development.
The Balogun title will complement his existing traditional title of Apesinola of Ibadanland, further strengthening his ties to two of Yorubaland’s foremost traditional institutions.
Many observers see the conferment as recognition of Dr. Adeduntan’s remarkable contributions to nation-building, institutional development and public service. His installation on September 5 is expected to usher in a new chapter of leadership that blends modern corporate excellence with the enduring traditions and values of the ancient Oyo Kingdom.
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