By Land for World Ifa Temple in Ile-Ife
Ooni Donates towards Yoruba Heritage Preservation
Summary
- Ooni of Ife donates 3 acres for construction of World Ifa Temple in Osun State.
- Project aims to establish the largest pilgrimage site for Yoruba traditional worshippers globally.
- ICIR hails gesture as a powerful step toward preserving Yoruba spirituality and culture.
Ile Ife, Nigeria — The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has donated three acres of land in Ile-Ife, Osun State, to the International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR) for the construction of the World Ifa Temple—an ambitious project set to become the largest spiritual hub for Yoruba traditional worshippers worldwide.
Announced on May 28, 2025, the donation underscores the Ooni’s dedication to preserving the cultural and spiritual legacy of the Yoruba people. The land, situated near the Stadium Area on Route 7 in Ile-Ife, has already been cleared by bulldozers in preparation for the building project.
The ICIR, headquartered at Oke-Itase, Ile-Ife, initiated the request to establish what it calls the “Largest World Ifa Temple.” The organisation’s president, Dr. Fayemi Fatunde Fakayode, described the Ooni’s gesture as a significant milestone in the advancement of Yoruba heritage.
“This gift is a profound demonstration of the Ooni’s commitment to safeguarding the cultural and spiritual traditions of Oduduwa,” Dr. Fakayode said.
Once completed, the temple is expected to attract Ifa practitioners from across the globe, transforming Ile-Ife into a key pilgrimage destination and further reinforcing its status as the spiritual heart of the Yoruba civilization.
