History Of The Ooni Of Ife Throne And It Past Kings

The Ooni of Ife is a traditional ruler and the paramount king of the Yoruba people in Osun State, Nigeria and across the world.

The throne of the Ooni of Ife is one of the oldest and most prestigious traditional thrones in Nigeria, with a history that dates back to ancient times.

The Ooni of Ife is believed to be a direct descendant of Oduduwa, who is considered the progenitor of the Yoruba people.

Oduduwa is said to have been a mythical figure who migrated from Mecca to Ile-Ife, where he founded the city and became its first king.

The Ooni of Ife is traditionally regarded as the spiritual leader of the Yoruba people and is considered a custodian of their culture and traditions.

Photo: Ooni of Ife, Iba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi beating talking drum at his palace.

The throne has been passed down through generations, with each Ooni playing a significant role in the history and development of the Yoruba people.

Names of the 50 past Ooni of Ife in history include:

1ST ODUDUWA
2ND OSANGANGAN OBAMAKIN
3RD OGUN
4TH OBALUFONO GBOGBODIRIN
5TH OBALUFON ALAYEMORE
6TH ORANMIYAN
7TH AYETISE
8TH LAJAMISAN
9TH LAJODOOGUN
10TH LAFOGIDO
11TH ODIDIMODE ROGBEESIN
12TH AWOROKOLOKIN
13TH EKUN
14TH AJIMUDA
15TH GBOONIJIO
16TH OKANLAJOSIN
17TH ADEGBALU
18TH OSINKOLA
19TH OGBORUU
20TH GIESI
21ST LUWOO (FEMALE)
22ND LUMOBI
23RD AGBEDEGBEDE
24TH OJELOKUNBIRIN
25TH LAGUNJA
26TH LARUNNKA
27TH ADEMILU
28TH OMOGBOGBO
29TH AJILA-OORUN
30TH ADEJINLE
31ST OLOJO
32ND OKITI
33RD LUGBADE
34TH ARIBIWOSO
35TH OSINLADE
36TH ADAGBA
37TH OJIGIDIRI
38TH AKINMOYERO 1770-1800
39TH GBANLARE 1800-1823
40TH GBEGBAAJE 1823-1835
41ST WUNMONIJE 1835-1839
42ND ADEGUNLE ADEWELA 1839-1849
43RD DEGBINSOKUN 1849-1878
44TH ORARIGBA 1878-1880
45TH DERIN OLOGBENLA- He was a powerful warrior! 1880-1894
46TH ADELEKAN (OLUBUSE I)- 1894-1910
47TH ADEKOLA 1910-1910
48TH ADEMILUYI (AJAGUN) . 1910-1930
49TH ADESOJI ADEREMI- (1930-1980)Minister without portfolio when he ruled from 1951 to 1955. He was the first indigenous governor of Western Nigeria.
50TH OKUNADE SIJUWADE- (1980-2015)

The Ooni of Ife throne continues to be an important symbol of Yoruba culture and tradition, with the current Ooni, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, serving as a prominent figure in Nigerian society and beyond.

Biography Of The current Ooni Of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi

Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, is the current Ooni of Ife, having ascended to the throne on December 7, 2015. He was born on October 17, 1974, in Ile-Ife, Osun State, Nigeria. Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi is a member of the Giesi Ruling House of Ile-Ife.

Before becoming the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi had a successful career as a businessman and entrepreneur. He was involved in various business ventures, including real estate, construction, and hospitality. He also served as the Managing Director of the Inagbe Grand Resorts and Leisure in Lagos.

Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi is known for his philanthropic activities and community development initiatives. He is passionate about youth empowerment, cultural preservation, and promoting peace and unity among the Yoruba people and Nigeria as a whole.

As the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi has been actively involved in promoting Yoruba culture and tradition. He has initiated various projects aimed at preserving the heritage of the Yoruba people and promoting economic development in Ile-Ife and its environs.

Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi is also recognized for his efforts to foster inter-ethnic and inter-religious harmony in Nigeria. He has been involved in peace-building initiatives and has advocated for unity and cooperation among different ethnic groups in the country.

Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi is a respected traditional ruler who is dedicated to serving his people and promoting the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people. His reign as the Ooni of Ife has been marked by a commitment to community development, cultural preservation, and peace-building efforts.