OYO, Nigeria — The ancient kingdom of Oyo is in mourning following the passing of its most senior and revered resident, “Baba,” a legendary tortoise said to be 420 years old.
Tripod Times reports that the historic animal passed away on Monday at the palace of the Alaafin of Oyo, marking the end of a living link to Nigeria’s imperial past.
Palace officials officially confirmed the death on September 17, 2026, revealing that Baba had recently fallen ill and refused food before peacefully passing away. He has already been laid to rest within the palace grounds.
A Living Legend of the Oyo Empire
For centuries, Baba was regarded as the “oldest indigene” of Oyo. According to palace oral history, he was originally brought from Oyo-Ile, the ancient capital of the Old Oyo Empire, and was meticulously cared for by a succession of traditional rulers.
The current monarch, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade I, expressed deep sadness over the loss, describing Baba as a cornerstone of the kingdom’s heritage and a major pillar of local tourism.
The palace has announced formal plans to preserve Baba’s memory for future generations of historians and visitors.
A Legacy of Longevity
While local tradition firmly holds Baba’s age at over four centuries, his passing mirrors that of Alagba, another famous Nigerian royal tortoise from Ogbomoso who died in 2019. Collectively, these revered creatures have underscored the deep-rooted cultural connection between wildlife conservation and Yoruba royal history.
