Ooni, Alaafin unite as Nigeria, Brazil seal Orisha congress deal

2026-03-17 - 18:55

By Luminous Jannamike, ABUJA The Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and the Alaafin of Oyo, Abimbola Abdulhakeem Owoade I, have come together under a major cultural initiative as Nigeria and Brazil seal a deal to host the World Orisha Congress (WOOCON), a global gathering expected to draw participants from across Africa and the diaspora. At its heart, this is about more than just an event. It is about reconnecting people of African descent to their roots, using a shared cultural heritage to build stronger ties, and placing Nigeria right at the centre of that effort. The development followed a closed-door meeting between the Executive Secretary/CEO of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation, Biodun Ajiboye, and the Brazilian Ambassador to Nigeria, Carlos Garcete. The meeting was held at the Brazilian Embassy in Abuja. The discussions focused on how to make the project work in practical terms, especially around logistics and bringing in participants from around the world. Brazil’s large Afro-descendant population, which plays a major role in its cultural life, also shaped the conversation. “It is a known fact globally that Orisha takes the centre root from Yorubaland in South-West Nigeria. Therefore, this concept initiated by NICO is centred around the ability to welcome Orisha descendants all over the world twice or three times a year at a place to be secluded and called WOOCON City,” Ajiboye said. According to him, the idea reflects a long-standing desire among many Afro-descendants in Brazil to reconnect with their African origins. “We are ready to assist you, especially with ideas and any other capacity we can, once we understand the details of the project. We are here to help you, and you can count on us,” he said. The Orisha Congress is being planned as a recurring global gathering that will bring together practitioners, scholars and cultural leaders, with proposals for multiple meetings each year. The project will be overseen by a Board of Trustees chaired by the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, with the Alaafin of Oyo, Abimbola Abdulhakeem Owoade I, serving as co-chairman. Ajiboye will serve as secretary of the board. Among its patrons are Nobel laureate Wole Soyinka and renowned scholar Wande Abimbola, alongside several traditional rulers who will be part of its council. As part of ongoing engagements, the Ooni of Ife is expected to lead a delegation to meet President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to move discussions on the WOOCON agenda forward. Envisioned as an annual global event, the congress is expected to serve as a platform to celebrate, preserve and promote the spiritual and cultural heritage of the Orisha tradition, while strengthening ties between Africa and Afro-descendant communities around the world.