The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has entered a seven-day spiritual seclusion ahead of the 2026 Olojo Festival in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
The traditional rite, which began on Sunday evening, September 20, marks the commencement of the spiritual phase of this year’s festival and precedes the public ceremonies scheduled to take place later in the week.
According to a statement from the Ooni’s Palace, the monarch will devote the period to prayers for Nigeria, seeking divine intervention for peace, unity and sustainable progress.
Oba Ogunwusi, who is Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigerian Traditional Rulers Council and Co-Chairman of the National Council of Traditional Rulers of Nigeria, entered seclusion after urging political leaders to place the national interest above partisan differences.
Speaking shortly before the spiritual exercise, he stressed that Nigeria was bigger than the interests of individual politicians and warned leaders against actions or statements capable of threatening the country’s sovereignty and unity.
“I am appealing to our politicians. They might have differences, but we should know ultimately that Nigeria is bigger than all of us,” the Ooni said.
He urged political leaders to focus on improving the welfare of ordinary Nigerians, adding that political power was temporary and that those occupying positions of authority would eventually be succeeded by others.
“Some have ruled this country before as political leaders, and others will come after them,” he said, calling on leaders to always consider the larger national interest.
The monarch also spoke on Nigeria’s democratic process, commending President Bola Tinubu over what he described as non-interference in the activities of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
He said developments that strengthened the independence of electoral institutions could improve public confidence in the democratic process.
Ogunwusi also commended Osun residents for their participation in the recently concluded governorship election, saying elections should continue to provide Nigerians with the opportunity to freely choose their leaders through the ballot.
He said his prayers during the seclusion would cover Nigeria’s democratic process as the country moves towards the next general elections, as well as the welfare of citizens, particularly young Nigerians.
Beyond the national issues, the seven-day seclusion has a central spiritual role in the Olojo Festival.
The Ooni said the period would allow him to withdraw from ordinary human interaction and deepen his spiritual connection with the ancestors.
“As I am going into seclusion, that deprives me of every human relationship. I will have to connect with my ancestors more, in an atmosphere of divinity,” he said.
The exercise is also part of the annual preparation for the wearing of the sacred Aare Crown, a major ritual element of the Olojo Festival.
Olojo is one of Ile-Ife’s major cultural and spiritual celebrations and is deeply connected to Yoruba history, ancestral traditions and the cultural identity of the ancient city.
The festival attracts traditional rulers, cultural enthusiasts, visitors and members of the Yoruba diaspora.
Public activities for the 2026 Olojo Festival are scheduled to run from September 24 to September 28, with the ceremonies culminating in the Ooni’s public appearance associated with the sacred Aare Crown.
The commencement of the monarch’s seclusion therefore signals the beginning of the most important spiritual preparations for Olojo 2026, as Ile-Ife prepares for the festival’s traditional and public ceremonies.
