Osun Monarch, Oba Adegboye Condemns Traditional Incisions, Warns Against Spiritual Shortcuts to Wealth

The Alawo of Awo in Egbedore Local Government Area of Osun State, Oba Taiwo Adegboye, has condemned traditional bodily incisions and other indigenous practices he considers harmful, urging residents to strengthen their faith in God rather than seek spiritual shortcuts to wealth and business success.

The monarch expressed his position during a recent Islamic religious gathering in Awo, where he criticised practices associated with certain traditional spiritual beliefs and warned against spending hard-earned money on promises of supernatural prosperity.

His remarks have brought renewed attention to the intersection of religion, traditional institutions, Yoruba cultural heritage and the search for economic success in Nigerian society.

According to a report published by Osun Defender on October 18, 2026, the monarch said he had not undergone traditional bodily incisions since his coronation and challenged anyone claiming otherwise to provide evidence.

Oba Adegboye maintained that he did not participate in what he described as unwholesome traditional practices, arguing that such incisions could leave permanent marks on the body.

Monarch Warns Traders Against Promises of Quick Wealth

Addressing traders and business owners at the gathering, Oba Adegboye urged them to rely on God rather than turn to traditionalists who promise financial breakthroughs through spiritual interventions.

The monarch argued that some people risk losing their hard-earned money by seeking supernatural solutions to economic difficulties and business challenges.

He particularly mentioned market women, whom he identified as a group he believed was commonly involved in such practices, and questioned whether repeated attempts to obtain wealth through spiritual shortcuts had produced the desired results.

His message centred on the importance of faith, patience and avoiding exploitation by individuals who may take advantage of people’s financial desperation.

The warning comes against the background of persistent economic pressures facing small-scale traders and business owners, many of whom struggle with rising operating costs, limited capital, inconsistent sales and declining purchasing power.

For people working under such conditions, promises of sudden wealth can be attractive, particularly when conventional business opportunities appear limited. However, financial desperation can also expose individuals to fraudulent schemes and unsubstantiated claims.

The monarch’s intervention therefore raises a broader question about how religious leaders, traditional institutions and community stakeholders can help protect vulnerable people from financial exploitation.

Traditional Incisions and the Debate Over Cultural Practices

Oba Adegboye’s condemnation of traditional incisions has also drawn attention to the wider debate surrounding indigenous customs and their place in contemporary Yoruba society.

Traditional practices in Nigeria vary considerably across communities, families and religious traditions. Some are associated with cultural identity, rites of passage and ancestral heritage, while others may involve bodily procedures or spiritual claims that attract criticism on religious, medical or ethical grounds.

It is therefore important to distinguish between cultural heritage as a whole and particular practices that individuals or religious leaders consider harmful.

The monarch’s remarks reflect his personal and religious position on the subject. They should not automatically be interpreted as a rejection of every aspect of Yoruba culture or as proof that all traditional practitioners engage in exploitation.

Where bodily incisions involve unsterile instruments or unsafe procedures, the potential risks of infection, scarring and other complications warrant appropriate medical attention. Such risks should be assessed on the basis of the actual procedure involved rather than assumptions about every indigenous practice.

A constructive public discussion would examine specific practices, their purposes, their potential consequences and the rights of individuals to make informed decisions about their bodies and beliefs.

Faith, Economic Hardship and the Search for Prosperity

The monarch’s appeal to traders reflects a recurring challenge in Nigerian communities: the desire for financial security amid economic uncertainty.

Small business owners frequently face the pressure of supporting their families, paying rent, maintaining inventory and meeting other obligations despite unstable income. When business performance deteriorates, some may become vulnerable to people promising guaranteed success through spiritual or other unverified interventions.

Oba Adegboye’s message encourages people to prioritise their faith and avoid placing their financial future in the hands of individuals who may exploit their desperation.

Nevertheless, faith and practical economic planning need not be treated as opposing choices. Religious conviction can provide hope and emotional resilience, while sound business practices can help people manage risks and improve their chances of success.

Traders can strengthen their businesses through proper record-keeping, careful budgeting, market research, customer service, savings and responsible borrowing. Community organisations and government agencies also have roles to play in improving access to business training, affordable finance and reliable economic opportunities.

The broader lesson is that people should exercise caution whenever anyone promises guaranteed wealth in exchange for money, regardless of whether the promise is presented in religious, traditional or commercial language.

Religion and the Responsibilities of Traditional Rulers

The remarks also highlight the increasingly visible role of traditional rulers in conversations about religion, morality and community development.

Across Nigeria, monarchs often serve as custodians of local customs, mediators in disputes and influential voices in public affairs. Their statements can shape discussions about social behaviour, cultural identity and the relationship between religious communities.

However, traditional institutions operate within culturally and religiously diverse societies. A monarch’s personal convictions may not necessarily represent the beliefs of every resident or traditional practitioner within the community.

This makes respectful engagement particularly important when public statements address sensitive religious and cultural issues.

Religious freedom and cultural diversity require that disagreements be handled without intimidation, discrimination or unnecessary hostility. At the same time, respect for tradition should not prevent legitimate scrutiny of practices that may cause physical harm or facilitate financial exploitation.

A balanced approach would allow religious leaders to express their convictions while encouraging informed discussion and protecting the dignity of people who hold different beliefs.

A Similar Debate Among Osun Traditional Rulers

Oba Adegboye’s position appears consistent with views previously expressed by the Oluwo of Iwo, Oba Abdulrosheed Adewale Akanbi, who has criticised certain traditional religious practices and customs he considers incompatible with his beliefs.

Such interventions demonstrate that traditional rulers do not always share identical views on the religious responsibilities associated with their positions.

Indeed, disagreements over the relationship between kingship, ancestral customs and religious affiliation have generated debate among Yoruba cultural stakeholders.

For some, the preservation of traditional institutions requires continued observance of established cultural and spiritual responsibilities. Others argue that monarchs, like other individuals, should be able to exercise personal religious convictions while fulfilling their civic and customary duties.

These competing perspectives reflect the complexity of maintaining cultural institutions in a society where religious identities and social expectations continue to evolve.

The challenge is to encourage meaningful dialogue without turning differences in belief into grounds for personal attacks or communal division.

What the Monarch’s Message Means for Awo Residents

For residents of Awo and neighbouring communities, the monarch’s comments provide an opportunity to reflect on the relationship between faith, culture, personal choices and financial responsibility.

People should be able to question practices that concern them, seek reliable medical advice where bodily procedures are involved and demand accountability from anyone requesting money in exchange for promises of prosperity.

Equally, discussions about traditional customs should be based on accurate information and an understanding that indigenous practices are not all identical.

Community leaders, religious organisations and business associations can contribute by educating residents about financial fraud, promoting responsible business management and encouraging peaceful engagement across religious and cultural lines.

Rather than allowing the debate to become a confrontation between entire religious or cultural communities, attention should remain on specific practices, evidence of harm and the protection of individual dignity.

Oba Taiwo Adegboye’s condemnation of traditional incisions and practices he considers spiritually or financially harmful has renewed discussion about faith, Yoruba cultural traditions and the pursuit of prosperity in Osun State.

His appeal to traders to trust in God and avoid people who may exploit their financial difficulties reflects a broader concern about the vulnerability of individuals seeking solutions to economic hardship.

However, the debate also requires a careful distinction between harmful practices and the wider cultural heritage of indigenous communities.

Ultimately, protecting residents from exploitation, promoting safe practices and respecting religious freedom should remain central to the discussion. Economic success is rarely guaranteed by shortcuts, and individuals benefit most when personal conviction is accompanied by informed decisions, responsible financial management and a commitment to the dignity of others.