Azeez Ojulari’s Maternal Grandfather Was a Nigerian Prince — A Key Figure in the Oshogbo Art Movement

Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Azeez Ojulari is best known for his speed, strength, and playmaking ability on the field. But few fans realize that his roots trace back to a remarkable legacy of royalty and art. Ojulari’s maternal grandfather, Prince Twins Seven-Seven, was not only a Yoruba prince in Nigeria but also one of the most important figures in the celebrated Oshogbo Art Movement.

Born Taiwo Olaniyi Oyewale-Toyeje Oyelale Osuntoki, Prince Twins Seven-Seven was the only surviving child from seven consecutive sets of twins — a rare and spiritually significant occurrence in Yoruba culture. This extraordinary birth story inspired his chosen name and deeply influenced his art, which often centered around folklore, mythology, and spiritual imagery. His style was distinctive: intricate, colorful, and filled with dynamic patterns that brought Yoruba stories to life on canvas and sculpture.

A central figure in the 1960s Oshogbo Art Movement, Twins Seven-Seven helped elevate Nigerian contemporary art to the global stage. Alongside other visionary artists, he blended traditional African storytelling with modern techniques, making the movement a cornerstone of post-colonial African identity and expression. His works have been exhibited in prestigious institutions like the Smithsonian, the Philadelphia Museum of Art, and the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

Though Prince Twins Seven-Seven passed away in 2011, his legacy lives on — not only through his artwork, but in his grandson Azeez. Raised with a deep awareness of his Nigerian heritage, Azeez Ojulari carries both the discipline and cultural pride instilled by his family. While his battlefield is the gridiron, his story is steeped in far more than football.

In a league where identity often takes a backseat to stats, Azeez’s background reminds fans that greatness comes in many forms — and sometimes, it begins with a prince and a paintbrush.