The sacred grounds of the Ile Oodua Palace in Ile-Ife radiated with spiritual energy as the Arole Oduduwa Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, hosted the Araba Agbaye, His Eminence Owolabi Awodotun Aworeni, for the official unveiling of the 2025 Odù Ifá—the divine message that will guide the Yoruba spiritual calendar for the new year.
This climactic ritual brought the 2025 World Ifa Festival to a momentous close, after a spiritually immersive seven-day celebration that attracted traditional priests, cultural scholars, devotees, and dignitaries from within Nigeria and the diaspora.
The Odù Ifá, revered for its prophetic insight and ancestral wisdom, serves as a sacred compass for millions of Yoruba adherents around the world, shaping communal expectations and personal conduct in the new year.
The divination for 2025 revealed Oturupon Meji, a powerful and deeply instructive Odù, known for its complex mix of challenges and transformation. Oturupon Meji speaks to moral responsibility, purification, truthfulness, and the need for inner and communal renewal.
It warns against deceit, betrayal, impatience, and moral laxity—urging individuals and leaders alike to embrace sincerity, humility, and spiritual cleansing. This Odù reminds us that the universe operates on the principles of cause and effect, and that actions rooted in dishonesty or exploitation will ultimately bring misfortune.
At the same time, Oturupon Meji brings a strong message of hope: if people commit to righteousness, honest dealings, and regular spiritual discipline, blessings, stability, and communal progress will follow. It is a call for reconciliation, respect for elders and institutions, and conscious efforts to heal broken relationships—both on a personal and societal level.
The Odù encourages regular offerings, prayers, and consultations with Ifá to avert misfortune and secure divine favor, especially in areas of leadership, health, agriculture, and youth development. It is a year for vigilance and wisdom in decision-making, as well as deeper alignment with ancestral and spiritual teachings.
Earlier in the festival, the sacred pilgrimage to Oke Igeti—a spiritually significant hill in Ile-Ife—offered devotees an opportunity for personal renewal and ancestral communion. With sacred chants echoing across the terrain, traditional priests led prayers and rituals aimed at purification and spiritual alignment.
The procession, one of the most revered rites of the festival, reinforced the sanctity of the land and the unbroken connection between the Yoruba people and their origins.
As the festival progressed, the atmosphere intensified at Oke Itase, where the annual Ìṣẹ̀ṣe Crossover Night took place. Thousands of worshippers gathered in a powerful night vigil filled with prayers, songs, and rites of passage.
The ceremonial walk of the Ooni of Ife, accompanied by Her Royal Majesty, Olori Afolasade Ashley Adeyeye Ogunwusi, was a defining moment—drawing cheers and reverent silence alike.
Their regal presence at the sacred hill symbolized the seamless fusion of monarchy and spiritual guardianship. As dawn approached, anticipation built toward the next day’s divination ceremony at the palace, where the Odù Ifá would be officially cast.
At the palace, the Araba Agbaye, as the highest-ranking authority in the global Ifá spiritual hierarchy, conducted the divination rituals with deep solemnity. In his address, he commended the Ooni of Ife for his unwavering dedication to the promotion of Yoruba culture and tradition.
He lauded the Ooni’s consistent efforts to elevate traditional institutions, stating, “Ooni has consistently shown that tradition is not a relic but a vibrant, living force. His leadership is not only preserving our spiritual identity but also inspiring the next generation to reconnect with their roots.”
He described this year’s festival as “a powerful spiritual convergence that mirrors the growing pride and awakening among our people,” and called on Yoruba descendants across the globe to remain connected to their heritage and uphold the timeless teachings of Ifá.
The Ooni, in turn, praised the World Ifa Festival Planning Committee for their coordination and excellence, calling for stronger partnerships between spiritual leaders and the palace in the years to come.
“Let us work more closely. Invite me into your activities. Through greater involvement, we can uncover new ways I can serve and amplify the influence of our heritage — not only preserving our history but actively shaping our collective future,” he said.
Special recognition was also extended to Her Majesty, Olori Ashley, whose active presence throughout the festival added visible strength to the cultural and spiritual messaging of the palace. Widely hailed as a “pillar of grace, culture, and commitment,” she was celebrated for her role in advancing the palace’s cultural agenda and engaging the younger generation in conversations around heritage and identity.
The 2025 World Ifa Festival may have drawn to a close, but the spiritual impact of its rituals, gatherings, and divine revelations—especially the wisdom of Oturupon Meji—will continue to reverberate in the hearts of Yoruba people everywhere. As the new year unfolds, it brings with it a sacred reminder: to walk in truth, seek wisdom, honor the ancestors, and build a future anchored in collective responsibility and ancestral guidance.