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The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, is the reigning traditional ruler of Ile-Ife in Osun State, best known as a former real-estate businessman who became one of the most visible custodians of Yoruba heritage. Crowned in 2015 as the 51st Ooni and bearing the regnal name Ojaja II, he has built a reign around culture, tourism and peace-building.
Key Facts
- Reportedly born 17 October 1974 in Ile-Ife, in present-day Osun State.
- Crowned the 51st Ooni of Ife on 7 December 2015, succeeding Oba Okunade Sijuwade.
- A trained accountant and former real-estate entrepreneur who founded the Gran Imperio Group.
- Among the youngest monarchs to ascend the Ife throne in centuries.
| Profile Snapshot | |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi |
| Title | Ooni of Ife / Ojaja II |
| Date of Birth | 1974-10-17 |
| Age | 51 |
| Place of Birth | Ile-Ife, Nigeria (now Osun State) |
| Nationality | 🇳🇬 Nigerian |
| Reign | Since 2015 |
| Predecessor | Oba Okunade Sijuwade (Olubuse II) |
| Best Known For | Reigning Ooni of Ife; Yoruba cultural custodian |
| Net Worth | Not officially disclosed |
Who Is the Ooni of Ife? Early Life and Education
Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi was reportedly born on 17 October 1974 in Ile-Ife, the ancient Yoruba city regarded as the cradle of the Yoruba people. He was raised in a family connected to one of Ife’s recognised ruling houses, the Giesi Ruling House.
He attended schools in Ibadan and Ile-Ife before pursuing higher education in accounting at The Polytechnic, Ibadan. He later qualified as a chartered accountant and became a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria.
That professional training shaped his early working life and gave him the financial discipline he would carry into business and, eventually, onto the throne.
Business Career Before the Throne
Before he became a monarch, Ogunwusi built his reputation as an entrepreneur. He worked in real estate, construction and related sectors, and is widely associated with the Gran Imperio Group, a company linked to housing and property development.
Reports credit him with involvement in residential and commercial projects, and he held memberships in bodies such as the Institute of Directors. His business profile made him a relatively young and unusually entrepreneurial candidate when the Ife throne fell vacant.
His commercial career also drew scrutiny, with some investors raising disputes over real-estate schemes. Those matters are addressed in the controversies section below; Viorah TV reports them strictly as public record.
Becoming the Ooni of Ife in 2015
The path to the throne opened after the death of Oba Okunade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, in 2015. Following the traditional selection process led by Ife kingmakers, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi emerged as the chosen candidate from the Giesi Ruling House.
He was announced as the 51st Ooni of Ife in October 2015 and crowned on 7 December 2015, taking the regnal name Ojaja II. His ascension at around 41 made him one of the youngest people to occupy the centuries-old throne.
His coronation drew large crowds to Ile-Ife and significant national attention, marking a generational shift in one of Nigeria’s most revered traditional institutions.
The Ooni of Ife’s Reign, Culture and Initiatives
As Ooni of Ife, Ogunwusi has positioned himself as a custodian of Yoruba heritage and a promoter of cultural tourism. He has championed festivals, traditional institutions and the global image of Ile-Ife as a spiritual and historical centre.
He has also been active in peace and unity efforts, engaging with other monarchs, government figures and the diaspora. Through platforms such as the House of Oduduwa Foundation, he has supported youth and women empowerment programmes.
Over his decade on the throne, he has used the office to convene cultural, economic and interfaith conversations, framing the monarchy as a bridge between tradition and modern development.
He serves in honorary academic roles and has received public honours, including national recognition, reflecting the wide reach the modern Ife throne carries.
Personal Life
Oba Ogunwusi is a father, and his personal life has attracted considerable media attention over the years. His marriages and family arrangements have been widely reported in the Nigerian press.
Viorah TV treats these as private matters of public interest and reports them neutrally, without judgement or speculation. Details about his household are largely managed through palace channels.
There is no officially disclosed figure for the Ooni of Ife’s net worth. Numbers circulating on biography and net-worth websites vary widely and are speculative and unverified.
He is known to have built wealth through real estate and business before ascending the throne, but his personal finances are not part of the public record. Viorah TV does not publish an unconfirmed net-worth figure.
From boardroom to throne, the Ooni of Ife has turned the ancient Ife crown into a modern platform for Yoruba culture and diplomacy.
— Viorah TV
Controversies
Like many high-profile figures, the Ooni of Ife has been the subject of public controversy. His pre-throne real-estate businesses faced disputes and allegations from some investors over property schemes, claims reported by sections of the Nigerian media.
His personal and family life, including reports about his marriages, has also generated extensive coverage. Viorah TV reports these only as public record, attributing claims to their sources, treating them as private or public-interest matters, and taking no position on contested allegations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the Ooni of Ife?
He is Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, known by the regnal name Ojaja II, the reigning traditional ruler of Ile-Ife in Osun State and a former real-estate businessman.
When did Adeyeye Ogunwusi become the Ooni of Ife?
He was named the 51st Ooni in October 2015 and crowned on 7 December 2015, succeeding Oba Okunade Sijuwade (Olubuse II).
What did the Ooni of Ife do before becoming king?
He trained as an accountant and worked as an entrepreneur in real estate and construction, and is widely associated with the Gran Imperio Group.
Where was the Ooni of Ife born?
He was reportedly born on 17 October 1974 in Ile-Ife, in present-day Osun State, Nigeria.
What is the Ooni of Ife’s net worth?
It is not officially disclosed. Figures circulating online are speculative and unverified, so Viorah TV does not publish a confirmed amount.
Conclusion
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), has reshaped one of Nigeria’s oldest thrones by blending a business background with a strong focus on culture, tourism and unity. Since his 2015 coronation, he has remained a prominent custodian of Yoruba heritage and a recognisable national figure. His reign continues to draw attention as he champions the global profile of Ile-Ife.
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