In a landmark cultural initiative, the Federal Government of Nigeria, through the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), has announced plans to launch the World Orisha Congress (WOOCON) — a global convergence of Orisha devotees aimed at unlocking Nigeria’s spiritual tourism potential and driving economic development.
Speaking at a press conference held in Lagos, Chief Abiodun Ajiboye, Executive Secretary and CEO of NICO, revealed that the congress will serve as a global platform for devotees of the Yoruba Orisha tradition. The event is envisioned as a cornerstone for cultural revival and economic transformation through heritage diplomacy and spiritual tourism.
“All over the world, spiritual outreach programs centered on ancestral convergence have become billion-dollar industries. Countries like Brazil, Saudi Arabia, Israel, Egypt, and India have tapped into these opportunities. Nigeria is now poised to do the same,” said Ajiboye.
According to him, Orisha — elemental forces that represent the essence of life — are deeply embedded in the natural and spiritual heritage of Yoruba land. “Nobody can survive without these forces of nature,” he added.
Cultural Reclamation and Economic Strategy
WOOCON is designed not only as a cultural celebration but also as a strategic move to reposition Nigeria as a premier destination for cultural and spiritual tourism. Ajiboye estimated that the initiative, if properly implemented, could generate over $10 billion annually within the next three years.
The congress will include international collaborations, most notably with Brazil, to combat the misrepresentation of Yoruba spirituality and promote accurate cultural narratives. Brazil, with its rich Afro-Brazilian heritage, has long embraced the Orisha tradition, reflecting the deep cultural link between the two nations.
Royal and Global Endorsements
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, a member of WOOCON’s Board of Trustees, applauded the recognition of Yoruba spirituality by the Federal Government. He emphasized the need to correct negative perceptions and elevate Orisha traditions to their rightful place in global spiritual discourse.
“Brazil embracing Orisha culture doesn’t only celebrate religious diversity but affirms the beauty and power of African heritage in shaping national identity,” the Ooni noted.
Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, serving as WOOCON's Global Patron, underscored the antiquity and universality of the Orisha tradition.
“Orisha predates Nigeria. It is not a product of the artificial boundaries we now call nations. Orisha was born in Yoruba land — a heritage far older than any modern political construct,” Soyinka stated.
He also announced the Heritage Voyage of Return — a pilgrimage initiative connecting Brazil and Nigeria in a celebration of shared ancestry and spiritual revival.
Global Cultural Diplomacy
The Consul-General of Brazil in Nigeria, Manuel de Lacerda Santos, highlighted the significance of Orisha worship in Brazilian culture, where Orishas are revered as spiritual forces representing nature and human virtues. These traditions are celebrated with rituals, music, drumming, and traditional attire — forming a vital cultural bridge between Nigeria and Brazil.
A Global Movement for Cultural Rebirth
Mr. Ajoyemi Osunleye, WOOCON’s International Consultant, described the congress as a platform for “spiritual awakening and cultural homecoming,” uniting descendants of Yoruba heritage from across the globe — including the United States, Cuba, Haiti, Trinidad, and beyond.
“The World Orisha Congress will rechart the course of our collective consciousness. It will be a space where the sacred groves of Osun, the shrines of Ife, and the altars of Oyo speak to the world with one voice — a voice of healing, knowledge, and divine light,” Osunleye declared.
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