Folashade Tinubu-Ojo: The “Iyaloja General” Nobody Wants?

The Untold Story of Folashade Tinubu-Ojo’s Failed Iyaloja Coronations If markets could talk, they’d probably be screaming: “Madam, abeg leave us alone!” Because if there’s one thing Folashade Tinubu-Ojo, President Tinubu’s daughter and self-styled Iyaloja General of Nigeria, is getting used to, it’s the sting of rejection. Let’s take a stroll down memory lane.

The Computer Village Debacle

Remember Computer Village in Ikeja? Ah, yes – the almighty tech market where everyone goes for phones, laptops, and sometimes a fake charger that will humble your entire life. That was ground zero for one of Folashade’s most embarrassing moments.

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She marched in with her entourage, all set to plant her authority and install a “Babaloja”. But the traders weren’t buying it – literally and figuratively. They shouted her down, declaring, “This is not a tomato market, it’s a technology market! No Iyaloja here!” They took her to court and they won. Ouch. Till today, the clips from that saga still live rent-free on Nigerian Twitter.

The Edo Invasion

And then, as if the Computer Village episode wasn’t enough, the drama rolled into Benin City, Edo State. Recently, whispers emerged that Folashade and her allies were trying to sneak in an “Iyaloja” under Edo’s nose. But Edo people? They no dey carry last. The backlash was instant.

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Critics say the Edo State governor was more interested in scoring political points with President Tinubu ahead of 2027 than respecting Edo’s cultural pride. The attempt to install an Iyaloja fizzled, underscoring that Folashade’s Iyaloja project faces more opposition than support. Computer Village and Edo State are just examples of the widespread skepticism. Across Nigeria, market unions treat her self-proclaimed “Iyaloja General” title like a fake certificate. To traders, leadership should come from within, not be handed down through political influence, even if the position is technically hereditary in the Tinubu family. From Lagos to Benin, her story feels less like a coronation and more like a reality show called “Rejected Markets of Nigeria.” Still, Folashade parades the title, perhaps hoping that one day a market will finally say yes. For now, traders’ message is clear: Madam, not in this market! In Nigeria, markets are more than trading hubs – they are kingdoms. Without the people’s crown, any claim to authority is just that: a claim, not a throne.

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