By Interface Africa | Ayan Valentin
Ile-Ife, Osun State – In a landmark gesture aimed at preserving and globalizing Yoruba spirituality, the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has donated three acres of land to the International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR) for the construction of what is being called the World Ifa Temple.
The announcement was made on Wednesday through a statement by the ICIR President, Fayemi Fakayode, in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The donated site, located near the Stadium Area on Route 7 in the ancient city of Ile-Ife, is set to become a spiritual and cultural landmark—positioned as the largest Ifa temple in the world.
A Sacred Homecoming for Yoruba Spirituality
The donation signals a pivotal moment for traditional Yoruba religion, particularly for adherents of Ifa and Orisa practices across the globe. According to Fakayode, this generous act by the Ooni underscores his unwavering commitment to the preservation and global recognition of Oduduwa’s spiritual heritage.
“This gesture of our revered first-class Oba has demonstrated his love for tradition and Yoruba culture and spirituality,” Fakayode said. “On behalf of the Council of Araba and Oluwo, under the Chairmanship of His Eminence, Awodotun Aworeni, the Araba/Olu-Isese Agbaye, and all practitioners of Ifa and Orisa worldwide, we thank His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, for this historic move.”
A Global Pilgrimage Destination in the Making
Construction has already commenced on the site, which is envisioned to become a major pilgrimage center for traditional worshippers from across Africa and the diaspora. Once completed, the World Ifa Temple is expected to draw spiritual tourists, researchers, cultural preservationists, and devotees from all corners of the globe.
The project is also set to solidify Ile-Ife’s position as not just the spiritual heartland of the Yoruba people, but as a global hub for indigenous African spirituality and knowledge systems.
“This project is going to be the largest World Ifa Temple across the world,” Fakayode added. “It will serve as a major pilgrimage site for practitioners of Oduduwa’s spirituality across the globe.”
A Strategic Step in Cultural Renaissance
The donation also aligns with growing calls to recognize, document, and institutionalize African indigenous religions. Over recent years, there has been a cultural renaissance that encourages younger generations to reconnect with traditional values, cosmology, and ancestral wisdom. The Ifa religion, known for its deep philosophical and divination systems, is central to this resurgence.
The International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR), headquartered at Oke-Itase in Ile-Ife, had earlier submitted a formal request for land to facilitate the building of the temple. The Ooni’s swift and affirmative response reflects his role as not only a monarch but a custodian of Yoruba identity and spiritual legacy.
Looking Ahead
As development on the site progresses, the ICIR has called for support from Yoruba communities worldwide, cultural institutions, and philanthropists who believe in preserving African heritage. The temple, when completed, is expected to serve as a place of worship, learning, healing, and cultural exchange—bridging the past and the future for generations to come.
With the foundation now laid—both symbolically and literally—the world watches as Yoruba spirituality prepares to take its rightful place on the global stage.
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