By Clement Abayomi
“The state of monarchy is the supremest thing upon earth: for kings are not only God’s lieutenants upon earth, and sit upon God’s throne, but even by God Himself they are called gods.”
— James Charles Stuart (King James I of England)
These timeless words by King James I find living expression in the life of His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II. Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi is a monarch whose journey reflects divine presence, cultural vitality and visionary leadership.
Aged 51, he was born in Ile-Ife, the cradle of the Yoruba race, fulfilling a long-held prophecy that a child of remarkable purpose would be born at exactly 1:00 p.m. on October 17, 1974. This uncommon occurrence is widely regarded as affirming a divine mandate, earning him early admiration and acceptance. Indeed, in his acceptance speech, he declared:
“I am coming to set a good example and show the world that I am truly called by God to lead Ile-Ife into a state of tranquillity, conscientiousness and prosperity.”
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The early life of Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi was steeped in royalty and prophecy, elements that would ultimately converge in the fulfilment of his destiny. Records from the Oonirisa indicate that he was born into the Giesi Ruling House of the Ojaja Royal Compound to Prince Ropo Ogunwusi and the late Mrs Margaret Wuraola Ogunwusi.
His grandfather, Pa Joseph Olagbaju Adewole Ogunwusi Jr., immediately named him Adeyeye, meaning “a crown befitting a king,” and affectionately referred to him as “Adeyeye Ooni” from infancy — an early testament to the greatness he foresaw. The Ooni’s lineage traces back to Ayikitininu Aran, the 44th Ooni who reigned between 1878 and 1880, and to notable figures such as Adegosan Adewole, a war veteran who, according to palace archives, “never lost any battle.”
Worthy of note is Ooni Ogunwusi’s entrepreneurial ascent, which demonstrates his ability to transform adversity into opportunity. As revealed in his acceptance speech, he became a father at the age of 19 — an experience that imposed early responsibility and sharpened his drive for success.
“From birth, my life has been a journey — one that I embarked upon with great conscientiousness when I became a responsible father at the age of 19, an experience that shaped and groomed me for greater challenges ahead,” he said.
Determined to provide for his family, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi ventured into business with the resolve to “build something out of nothing.” Over the years, he established a consortium of thriving companies, now unified under the Gran Imperio Group, making him a major employer of labour and a respected captain of industry long before his ascension to the throne.
Since his coronation on December 7, 2015, the Ooni has pursued development with unprecedented vigour. Palace records highlight several achievements within his first year alone, including the commencement of the multi-billion-naira Ife Grand Resort, a 1,000-acre project that engaged more than 3,000 youths. He also spearheaded the reconstruction of the ancient Ile-Oduduwa Palace, donated 100 electricity transformers across Ife, and empowered over 20,000 widows, particularly those affected by communal conflicts. These initiatives underscore a monarch committed to redefining traditional leadership.
A defining hallmark of his reign is his exceptional commitment to youth empowerment and rehabilitation. In his acceptance speech, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi recounted how he personally rehabilitated young men such as Demola Adewole, a welder he met while seeking roadside handouts, and Taye Fayemi, a distressed youth who once told him, “death means nothing to me.” The Ooni removed them from the streets, providing meaningful work, mentorship and stability. He has since stated that thousands of youths have been absorbed into various empowerment programmes — a mission he describes as essential to building a prosperous future for Ile-Ife.
Ooni Ogunwusi has also emerged as a central figure in promoting peace and unity across Yorubaland, notably through his efforts to reconcile the historic Ife–Modakeke conflict. In his words, “There shall NEVER be war again.” He has travelled extensively to engage fellow traditional rulers, advocating unity among Yoruba monarchs. As Sharpshotz, a Facebook-based culture and tradition photojournalist, observes, the Ooni is regarded as “the paramount ruler, with supremacy over other monarchs,” and revered as the 401st deity to descend from heaven, highlighting the spiritual dimension of his office.
Beyond peacebuilding, the Ooni has invested significantly in cultural preservation and global diplomacy. According to Oonirisa records, he has rehabilitated numerous heritage sites, promoted tourism, and engaged with ambassadors from over 50 foreign nations. He also established Nigeria’s largest cocoa nursery in Ife, encouraging agricultural revival and youth participation.
Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi’s humility has drawn widespread praise. Visual storyteller Abiodun Christopher attributes this humility as the reason “God has placed him above all other Yoruba kings,” earning him admiration even among members of the diaspora.
Education remains one of the Ooni’s most visionary legacies, culminating in the establishment of Ojaja University. According to the university’s official statement, the Ile-Ife campus was inaugurated on December 6, 2025, coinciding with his 10th coronation anniversary. The Ooni explained that the institution, which evolved from its former base in Ilorin, is “not a commercial venture but a legacy project,” designed to provide high-quality education grounded in culture, identity and global relevance.
In conclusion, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi is a monarch whose vision extends far beyond the throne. Through initiatives such as New Ife City (NIC) and House of Oduduwa Resources Limited, he continues to steer Ile-Ife toward industrialisation, tourism expansion and global recognition. In his acceptance speech, he pledged:
“I come before you all today as a man pledging his unwavering commitment to his kingdom and his people. I will serve you all with everything I have.”
This vow continues to shape the cultural, social and economic rebirth of Ile-Ife, the cradle of the Yoruba people. Ultimately, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi’s life and leadership have left an indelible impact across generations.
