“Ife Is Not Origin of Yoruba Race”: Oluwo Sparks Fresh Controversy in Trending Video
- The Oluwo of Iwo in Osun State, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, has disagreed with the claim, describing Ile-Ife as the origin of the Yoruba people
- Oba Akanbi said Ile Ife in Osun State is not the origin of the Yoruba people, found mostly in the southwest of Nigeria
- The controversial monarch, in a trending video, gave reasons for dismissing the widely believed claim that the Yoruba people originated from Ile Ife
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Iwo, Osun state - The Oluwo of Iwo in Osun State, Oba Abdulrosheed Akanbi, stated that Ile-Ife is not the origin of the Yoruba people.
Oluwo disputed the claim by saying that the Ife people speak a different language from the Iwo people.
Source: Facebook
The controversial monarch said Ile-Ife has no Yoruba culture.
The traditional ruler made this known in a video shared on his Facebook page on Tuesday, September 23, 2025.
Oluwo argued that people had been living in Ife before Oduduwa conquered the city and became its ruler.
Speaking in the Yoruba language while bestowing a chieftaincy title on one of his subjects, Oluwo said:
“Ife is not the origin of the Yoruba race. Those people don’t speak our language. Their language is different. They refer to God as Eledumare, and there is nothing like Eledumare in the Yoruba language. What we have is Olodumare.
“Ife people will always say Olofin, and if you ask them what the meaning is, they will tell you it means the owner of the palace, and what that means in Yoruba is ‘Alaafin’. Ile-Ife has no Yoruba culture.
“I am the ‘Arole Olodumare because I am here to tell you the true history. Iwo is where you can get the real history that was not even documented.
“Whatever I am telling you now, you must keep it because death can come anytime. I am not scared of death because it is inevitable.”
Source: Facebook
Reactions as Oluwo dismisses Ife as Yoruba's origin
Omo Baba Mufty Ilorin
Akanbi of the universe, king of research
Elebiju Ayowunmi Abel
No be same you wey
Adeyeye John Oluwafemi
Professor of Yoruba Studies 😂😂😂😂Jealous dey worry King😂😂😂😂😂GREAT IFE!!!❤️
Sulaymon Hassan
You're right 👍
Princess Fajuke Bisola Pamilerin
U for drop Ur crown nah make w know you all came from Arab
Prince Made Adekanmi
You are the most irrelevant and most controversial Oba in Yorubaland. Coming to this throne is to cause wahala in Yorubaland. Rashidi, your problem is ILARA, we know that's what u are suffering from. No one has time to reason your matter. Onisokuso oba
Alaafin opens up on supremacy battle with Ooni
Recall that the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, denied being in a supremacy battle with any monarch.
Alaafin revisited speculations of a rift between him and the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, and addressed it.
Owoade was crowned the 46th Alaafin of Oyo in April 2025, succeeding the 45th Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi, who died on April 22, 2022.
Ooni of Ife Visits Olubadan Designate Ladoja
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, paid a ceremonial visit to Olubadan designate Rashidi Ladoja in Ibadan, ahead of Ladoja’s formal installation.
The meeting of the two revered Yoruba monarchs drew high chiefs, Baales, Mogajis, and cultural groups to Ladoja’s Bodija residence.
Oba Ladoja is set to become the 44th Olubadan on 26 September 2025, following the passing of Oba Owolabi Olakulehin.
Source: Legit.ng
