Oyo, Oyo State, is the seat of the line of the rulers of Oyo. Their territory, a constituent rump state, is located in contemporary Nigeria. Since the 1900 political absorption into Southern Nigeria of the kingdom that it once served as a metropolitan center, the traditional monarchy has been either a tool of British indirect rule or a legally recognised traditional polity within the republic of Nigeria.
In the Yoruba language, the word 'oba' means ruler or king. It is also common for the rulers of the various Yoruba domains to have their own special titles. In Oyo, the Oba is referred to as the Alaafin.
| Tenure | Incumbent | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| c.1300 | Foundation of Oyo Empire | |
| c.1835 | Invasion by Fulani Empire | |
| 1888 | British protectorate | |
| 1300 to ???? | Oranyan, Alaafin | |
| ???? to ???? | Ajaka, Alaafin | |
| ???? to ???? | Shango, Alaafin | |
| ???? to ???? | Ajaka (restored), Alaafin | |
| ???? to ???? | Aganju, Alaafin | |
| 1400 to ???? | Kori, Alaafin | |
| ???? to 1500 | Oluaso, Alaafin | |
| c. 1500 to ???? | Onigbogi, Alaafin | |
| ???? to ???? | Ofirin, Alaafin | |
| ???? to ???? | Eguguojo, Alaafin | |
| ???? to ???? | Orompoto, Alaafin | |
| c. 1600 to ???? | Abipa, Alaafin | |
| ???? to ???? | Obalokun, Alaafin | |
| ???? to ???? | Oluodo, Alaafin | |
| ???? to ???? | Ajagbo, Alaafin | |
| ???? to ???? | Odarawu, Alaafin | |
| ???? to ???? | Kanran, Alaafin | |
| ???? to ???? | Jayin, Alaafin | |
| ???? to ???? | Ayibi, Alaafin | |
| ???? to ???? | Osiyago, Alaafin | |
| c. 1728 to 1730 | Ojigi, Alaafin | |
| c. 1730 to 1746 | Gberu, Alaafin | |
| 1746 | Amuniwaiye, Alaafin | |
| 1746 to 1754 | Onisile, Alaafin | |
| 1754 | Labisi, Alaafin | |
| 1754 | Awonbioju, Alaafin | |
| 1754 | Agboluaje, Alaafin | |
| 1754 to 1770 | Majeogbe, Alaafin | |
| c. 1770 to 1789 | Abiodun, Alaafin | |
| 1789 to 1796 | Awole Arogangan, Alaafin | |
| 1796 to 1797 | Adebo, Alaafin | |
| 1797 | Makua, Alaafin | |
| 1797 to 1802 | vacant, vacant | |
| 1802 to 1830 | Majotu, Alaafin | |
| 1830 to 1833 | Amodo, Alaafin | |
| 1833 to 1835 | Oluewu, Alaafin | |
| 1837 to 1859 | Atiba Atobatele (at new capital), Alaafin | |
| 1859 to 1875 | Adelu, Alaafin | |
| 1876 to 1888 | Adeyemi I Alowolodu, Alaafin | |
| 1888 to 1905 | Adeyemi I Alowolodu (as British Vassal), Oba | |
| 1905 to 1911 | Lawani Agogoja (as British Vassal), Oba | |
| 1911 to 1944 | Siyanbola Onikepe Oladigbolu I (as British Vassal), Oba | |
| 1944 to 1945 | Regent (as British Vassal), Oba | |
| 1945 to 1955 | Adeyemi II Adeniran (as British Vassal), Oba | |
| 1955 to 1956 | Regent (as British Vassal), Oba | |
| 1956 to 1960 | Bello Gbadegesin Oladigbolu II (as British Vassal), Oba | |
| 1960 to 1968 | Bello Gbadegesin Oladigbolu II (as Nigerian Traditional Monarch), Oba | |
| 19 November 1970 to Present | Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III (as Nigerian Traditional Monarch), Oba | |