The ancient town of Ijero-Ekiti is set to host a rare convergence of Yoruba royalty as the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and more than 45 other prominent traditional rulers prepare to reenact a historic royal council at the Ita-Ajero Festival.

The Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development has formally recognised the festival as a flagship cultural event, underscoring its significance as a living archive of Yoruba history and identity. Presenting a certificate of recognition to representatives of the Ijero-Ekiti community, the Director-General of the Bureau, Wale Ojo-Lanre, described Ita-Ajero as a powerful reminder that the Yoruba people “have their history and their story.”

At the heart of the festival is the recreation of an age-old gathering of Obas at the palace of the Ajero of Ijero, one of the revered descendants of Oduduwa. Historically, the Ajero’s expansive compound served as a neutral ground where leading Yoruba monarchs, including the Ooni, met to deliberate on the fate of their people, offer collective prayers and forge unity across kingdoms.

During the reenactment, the Obas will sit in a circular formation, with the Ajero and the Ooni at the centre. Each monarch will be flanked by attendants bearing their staffs of office, symbolising authority and continuity. Prayers for peace, prosperity and protection of Yorubaland will be offered in sequence by the assembled rulers, the Ajero and finally the Ooni, before they turn to discussions on contemporary challenges and opportunities facing the region.

Ojo-Lanre said the festival’s recognition aligns with the Ekiti State government’s broader strategy to harness culture and heritage as drivers of tourism and economic growth. By institutionalising Ita-Ajero, he noted, the state is not only preserving tradition but also creating a platform for intergenerational learning about Yoruba civilisation.

Receiving the certificate on behalf of the Ijero-Ekiti community, Mrs Fadeke Oguntuase said preparations were underway to stage an expanded edition of the festival. She explained that the community’s partnership with the Bureau of Tourism Development was aimed at elevating Ita-Ajero into a major cultural attraction while remaining faithful to its historical roots.

The Ooni, who has attended the last two editions, is expected to lead the royal delegation once again when the festival returns, reaffirming Ijero-Ekiti’s place as a symbolic meeting point for Yoruba royalty and a beacon of shared heritage.