Ola Akinwunmi
In a decision cementing his commitment to Yoruba heritage, His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has donated three acres of prime land for the construction of the World Ifa Temple, destined to become the largest pilgrimage site for Yoruba traditional religion adherents worldwide.
The announcement, made on Wednesday by the International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR), heralds a significant step in establishing Ile-Ife – regarded as the spiritual homeland of the Yoruba people – as a central global hub for Ifa and Orisa worship.
“This gesture of our revered first-class Oba has demonstrated his love for tradition and Yoruba culture and spirituality,” declared ICIR President, Fayemi Fakayode, in a statement issued from Ibadan. Fakayode expressed profound gratitude on behalf of the Council of Araba and Oluwo, chaired by His Eminence, Awodotun Aworeni, the Araba/Olu-Isese Agbaye, and all global practitioners.
The donated land, strategically located around the Stadium Area, Route 7 in Ile-Ife, Osun State, will host the ambitious project. Fakayode emphasized the temple’s scale and purpose: “This project is going to be the largest World Ifa Temple across the world, and it will serve as a major pilgrimage site for practitioners of Oduduwa’s spirituality across the globe.”
He further lauded the Ooni’s unwavering dedication: “With this step, Ooni’s commitment to preserving and promoting Oduduwa’s cultural heritage and spirituality is obvious to all to see.”
The ICIR, headquartered at Oke-Itase in Ile-Ife, had previously requested the land specifically for this landmark project. Work on the site has reportedly already commenced, signaling the transition from vision to reality.
This donation by the paramount Yoruba monarch is seen as a powerful endorsement of traditional religion and a major boost for cultural tourism.
It fulfills the ICIR’s vision of establishing a central, world-class spiritual and administrative complex in the ancient city, solidifying Ile-Ife’s position as the heart of Yoruba spirituality for generations to come.
