Veteran broadcaster and Yoruba cultural commentator, Kola Olootu, has stirred fresh debate across social media after asserting that only four monarchs in Yoruba land can be regarded as historically powerful.
In a recent video posted on his official TikTok page, the respected media personality dropped the names of three revered kings but withheld the fourth, leaving his audience guessing—and triggering a flurry of reactions.
In the now-viral clip, Olootu named the late Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi III, the late Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade, and the now-deceased Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, as part of his exclusive list of the four most powerful Yoruba monarchs.
However, instead of disclosing the fourth, he challenged his followers to guess the final royal name.
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This intentional omission quickly set off a storm of speculations and debate in the comment section.
While some fans tried to decode his perspective based on historical influence and cultural relevance, others sharply disagreed with the narrowed list, claiming it marginalizes other highly respected kings in Yorubaland today.
Among the suggested names from commenters were the Oba of Benin—despite debates about whether the Benin monarch should be grouped under Yoruba kingship—the Oluwo of Iwo, Olubadan of Ibadan.
While some backed Olootu’s selection as historically grounded, others criticized it as outdated or selective, especially in the absence of the Alake of Egbaland and other prominent monarchs.
Critics also argued that equating royal influence solely with past rulers downplays the current roles traditional rulers play in contemporary governance, cultural preservation, and grassroots development.
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Kola Olootu, known for his deep knowledge of Yoruba culture, has not responded to the backlash as of press time.
However, the viral nature of the clip continues to fuel discussion about what defines power and legacy in Yoruba royal heritage—and who, in modern times, truly deserves a seat at the table of kingship greatness.
