The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has donated three acres of land to the International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR) to facilitate the construction of the World Ifa Temple. This move is seen as a significant effort to promote Yoruba spirituality and establish a major pilgrimage destination for traditional worshippers across the globe.
The donation was formally announced by ICIR President, Fayemi Fakayode, through a statement released in Ibadan, Oyo State. He described the Ooni’s gesture as a powerful testament to the monarch’s commitment to preserving Yoruba culture, spirituality, and heritage. According to Fakayode, the land, situated near the Stadium Area along Route 7 in Ile-Ife, Osun State, is already being developed as the future site of what is expected to be the largest Ifa temple in the world.
Fakayode emphasized that the project not only highlights the Ooni’s dedication to the legacy of Oduduwa but also aims to serve as a global symbol of unity and pride for practitioners of Yoruba traditional religion. The temple, he said, would attract worshippers from various parts of the world, turning Ile-Ife into a center for cultural tourism and spiritual exchange.
While the initiative has been praised for its potential to boost cultural identity and draw international attention to Yoruba traditions, it has also raised concerns. Some observers caution that the emphasis on religious tourism could shift attention from urgent development needs within the region. Additionally, in Nigeria’s multi-religious society, the construction of a major traditional worship center may invite controversy or misinterpretation if not handled inclusively. There is also the concern that the benefits of such a project might not reach all segments of the traditional religious community.
Nonetheless, the land donation is widely viewed as a culturally meaningful and spiritually symbolic act. It represents a deliberate effort by the Ooni of Ife to reaffirm the relevance of indigenous belief systems and elevate Yoruba traditions on the world stage.