Yoruba Nation activist Sunday Igboho returns to Nigeria after four-and-a-half years in exile

YORUBA Nation campaigner Chief Sunday Adeyemo popularly known as Sunday Igboho has returned to Nigeria after spending four-and-a-half years in exile and proceeded straight to the palace of the Olubadan of Ibadan Oba Rashidi Ladoja who helped facilitate his return.

On July 1 2021, Chief Igboho fled after his Ibadan home was raided by security forces who killed two of his aides and arrested a further 13. He subsequently turned up in Benin Republic but was arrested at Cotonou airport while he was trying to board a plane to Germany and was arraigned in court on several immigration charges.

In 2023, Chief Igboho was released by the Beninoise authorities and since travelled to join his family in Germany, where he has lived ever since. Then in October 2024, he made a surprise visit to London where he delivered a petition to Prime Minister Kier Starmer, requesting the British government support the creation of a Yoruba nation.

Oba Ladoja, the former Oyo State governor has always been Chief Igboho's political mentor and the two had a very close relationship when he was in office. Indeed Chief Igboho provided the governor with private back then, so it is thus no surprise that as soon as Oba Ladoja ascended the throne of his forefathers last year, he began lobbying for his protégé to be allowed to return.

This morning, Chief Igboho returned to Nigeria after his name was removed from the federal government’s list of wanted list men and women. Upon arriving, he proceeded straight to the Olubadan's palace in what his first major public appearance in Nigeria since he left the country in 2021.

Olayomi Koiki, Chief Igboho's spokesman, said: “As I’m speaking to you Chief Sunday Adeyemo is on his way to Olubadan Place and he should be there any moment from now. This is a moment of hope for Ibadanland and the entire Yorubaland as Chief Adeyemo is no longer being sought by government authorities and is free to return home.”

Mr Koiki confirmed that the intervention of monarchs and other stakeholders in the southwest geo-political zone helped clear the way for Chief Igboho’s homecoming. In 2025, Chief Igboho publicly lamented his prolonged exile, saying he was tired of staying away from home.

Chief Igboho said he had been declared wanted by the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari over an unknown offence, which prevented him from using a Nigerian passport and accessing his bank accounts, despite favourable court rulings. Following his return, he expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, Yoruba monarchs and Yoruba sons and daughters worldwide for their support during his years away from home.