Ooni Of Ife Donates Land For World’s Largest Ifa Temple In Historic Move.
In a landmark gesture underscoring his commitment to preserving Yoruba heritage, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has donated three acres of land to the International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR) for the construction of the world’s largest Ifa Temple. The announcement, made on 27 May 2025, has been hailed as a significant step towards promoting Yoruba spirituality and culture on a global scale.
The donated land, located in the Stadium Area along Route 7 in Ile-Ife, Osun State, will serve as the site for what the ICIR describes as the “Largest World Ifa Temple.” This ambitious project aims to establish a major pilgrimage site for practitioners of Yoruba traditional religion worldwide, fostering unity among devotees and reinforcing Ile-Ife’s status as the cradle of Yoruba civilisation.
The ICIR, headquartered at Oke-Itase in Ile-Ife, had recently requested the land to support its mission of advancing Ifa worship and Yoruba traditions. The donation was warmly received by the council, with spokesperson Fakayode expressing gratitude on behalf of the Council of Araba and Oluwo, Owolabi Awodotun Aworeni, the Araba/Olu-Isese Agbaye, and Ifa practitioners globally. “This gesture demonstrates His Majesty’s profound love for our tradition and spirituality,” Fakayode said, noting that the temple will be a beacon for Oduduwa’s cultural heritage.
The Ooni’s donation aligns with his ongoing efforts to promote Yoruba culture both within Nigeria and in the diaspora. Speaking on the significance of the project, the monarch declared, “This will be the largest World Ifa Temple, serving as a major pilgrimage site for practitioners of Oduduwa’s spirituality across the globe.” His commitment to cultural preservation has been lauded by community leaders, who see the temple as a vital step in ensuring the Yoruba spiritual legacy endures for generations.
The project is expected to draw thousands of worshippers and tourists to Ile-Ife, boosting the local economy and further cementing the city’s status as a spiritual and cultural hub. Construction preparations are already underway, with the ICIR working to ensure the temple becomes a symbol of unity and pride for Yoruba people worldwide.
This donation follows the Ooni’s long-standing advocacy for Ifa and Yoruba traditions, including his participation in global cultural initiatives, such as the designation of a Yoruba Territory in Brazil in 2023. As preparations for the temple progress, the global Yoruba community eagerly anticipates the realisation of this historic project.