The ancient city of Ile-Ife, Osun State, is currently witnessing an economic and cultural renaissance as tourists, traditional enthusiasts, and top government officials storm the city ahead of the 2025 Olojo Festival.
The annual celebration, which climaxes on Saturday, will see the Ooni of Ife, Arole Oduduwa Olofin Adimula, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, appear in public adorned with the sacred Aare crown, believed to be the original crown of Oduduwa, progenitor of the Yoruba race.
Hotels, lodges, and guest houses across Ile-Ife are fully booked as visitors continue to pour into the city. Food vendors, transport operators, artisans, and traders are also recording significant patronage, with many describing the Olojo Festival as a season of “cultural tourism-driven economic boom” for residents.
Business owners in the ancient city confirmed that commercial activities have more than doubled within the last one week. Hoteliers disclosed that reservations were made weeks ahead of the festival, while artisans and cultural performers noted that the inflow of visitors has created rare opportunities to showcase Yoruba tradition on a global stage.
Speaking in an interview on Thursday, the spokesperson to the Ooni of Ife, Otunba Moses Olafare, disclosed that dignitaries from different parts of the world have already started arriving in Ile-Ife to witness the annual festival.
According to him, governors, senators, federal lawmakers, traditional rulers, and top officials of the Federal Government are expected to grace the Ooni and join thousands of Yoruba sons and daughters in celebrating the revered festival.
Olafare explained that the Olojo Festival is not just a cultural occasion but also a deeply spiritual ceremony that reinforces the historical and ancestral significance of Ile-Ife as the cradle of Yoruba civilization.
He added that the festival provides a unifying platform for Yoruba descendants across the world to reconnect with their roots and reaffirm their shared heritage.
“The Olojo Festival is a celebration of history, spirituality, and continuity. It is the only day in the year when His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni, wears the sacred Aare crown. This crown is believed to have been worn by Oduduwa, and it carries spiritual potency and ancestral authority that binds the Yoruba race together,” Olafare said.
Residents of Ile-Ife have also expressed excitement, noting that the festival injects life into the city, drives business growth, and boosts hospitality and tourism. Market women, commercial drivers, and artisans who spoke to journalists said the surge in patronage has brought relief to many households, particularly at a time when the nation’s economy is under pressure.
In recent years, the event has drawn tourists, researchers, and culture enthusiasts from Europe, the Americas, and across Africa, further cementing Ile-Ife’s status as a hub of cultural heritage and tourism.
Security agencies have also been deployed across strategic locations in the city to ensure safety and maintain order during the celebrations.
The Osun State Government has also assured residents and visitors of adequate security throughout the duration of the festival.
Sodiq Lawal is a passionate and dedicated journalist with a knack for uncovering captivating stories in the bustling metropolis of Osun State and Nigeria at large. He has a versatile reporting style, covering a wide range of topics, from politics , campus, and social issues to arts and culture, seeking impact in all facets of the society.
