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On the 22 November 2025, His Imperial Majesty Oba Abimbola Owoade, the Alaafin of Oyo, formally crowned Ambassador, Dr. Becky Olubukola as the new Erelu of Yorubaland in a ceremony held at the Alaafin’s palace in Oyo town.
The coronation attended by traditional rulers, civic leaders, community stakeholders and members of the diplomatic and business communities marked the installation of a widely respected business leader and philanthropist into one of Yoruba culture’s most important maternal offices.
Dr. Becky’s elevation to Erelu is the culmination of a sustained career of public-facing service, entrepreneurship and community impact that aligns closely with the historical responsibilities of the title: the protection of social values, the promotion of communal welfare, and the moral guardianship of women and families across the region.
Over the last decade Dr. Becky has built a visible record of action in three interlocking areas economic empowerment, housing and infrastructure, and targeted philanthropic interventions — all of which directly speak to the duties an Erelu is expected to discharge.
As founder and director of many organizations, Dr. Becky has focused public and private resources on increasing access to affordable and decent housing across multiple states in Nigeria. Her leadership in the real estate sector has been framed not simply as business expansion but as social investment: projects and programs aimed at expanding home ownership and improving living standards for low- and middle-income families. That industry leadership gave her sustained credibility as someone who translates policy and advocacy into tangible projects that address core community needs.
Through the Pricasso Care Foundation (PCF) and other initiatives, Dr. Becky has implemented education, health outreach and skills-training programs targeted at women, girls, widows and other vulnerable groups. Her public statements and programmatic work on subjects such as girls’ education, domestic-violence prevention and economic inclusion have been consistent and measurable activities that demonstrate a commitment to the social protection and empowerment roles historically associated with the Erelu institution. Those programs have been widely reported and publicly acknowledged by civil society and media outlets that track philanthropic activities.
Dr. Becky also brings to the title prior royal recognition and traditional assignments that signal experience with cultural responsibilities. She holds other chieftaincy titles in Yoruba land and has over time been called upon to act in capacities that fuse traditional protocol and modern governance — positioning her as a bridge between palace traditions and contemporary civic leadership. The Alaafin’s choice to crown Dr. Becky reflects a judgement that her combination of cultural standing, professional competence and philanthropic record make her especially well-suited to serve as a visible, effective Erelu for the 21st century.
At yesterday’s ceremony the Alaafin underscored the importance of strengthening traditional institutions while encouraging progressive leadership that serves the welfare of the people. The palace’s remarks emphasized the value of appointing leaders who can uphold cultural heritage while also mobilizing resources and expertise to tackle pressing social challenges — an articulation that matches Dr. Becky’s public record of combining cultural service with programmatic impact.
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Why Dr. Becky deserves the Erelu of Yorubaland
• Demonstrated social impact: Dr. Becky’s philanthropic footprint — through PCF and related community programs — has targeted the core concerns that Erelus have historically addressed: welfare for women, children, and vulnerable households. Her work on skills acquisition, school-support programs, health outreach and anti-domestic-violence advocacy shows an operational commitment to improving lives.
• Economic leadership with social purpose: As a major figure in Nigeria’s housing sector, Dr. Becky has used entrepreneurship to advance social objectives, prioritising affordable housing and broader access to shelter. That orientation turns private capability into public benefit — a necessary quality for a titleholder expected to mobilize material and moral support for community wellbeing.
• Cultural credibility and proven stewardship: With prior traditional recognitions and a record of respectful engagement with palace institutions, Dr. Becky has demonstrated the cultural sensitivity and protocol experience necessary to occupy a high-profile traditional office. The Alaafin’s public endorsement at the coronation is a formal recognition of that credibility.
• A public voice for women and children: Dr. Becky’s advocacy on girls’ education, protection, and economic inclusion has been sustained and visible, making her a logical custodian of the Erelu’s moral authority over issues that disproportionately affect women and families across Yorubaland.
• Capacity to convene and deliver: The Erelu role has evolved to require convening power — the ability to bring government, private sector and civil society into practical partnerships. Dr. Becky’s networks, business experience and history of large-scale events (such as the National House Fair) show she can mobilize multi-stakeholder collaboration and deliver measurable outcomes.
The coronation yesterday was not merely ceremonial; it was an institutional choice that signals how Yorubaland’s custodians hope to combine tradition with measurable social progress. In selecting Dr. Becky Olubukola, the palace selected an individual whose public life demonstrates both a respect for cultural duty and a capacity to translate influence into programs that materially uplift communities.
Dr. Becky has pledged to use the platform of the Erelu to deepen programs that promote women’s economic empowerment, expand education and health outreach for girls and rural families, and partner with traditional and civic institutions to protect cultural heritage while accelerating inclusive development. Her stated priorities will be monitored by civic stakeholders and the public as she assumes the duties of the office. also most importantly to promote unity amongst Yoruba race.
