Ooni, South-West Monarchs to Converge on Ijero for Ita-Ajero Festival
By Peace Erewunmi
The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, and more than 45 traditional rulers from across Yorubaland are expected to converge on Ijero-Ekiti for the 2026 Ita-Ajero Festival.
The cultural festival, scheduled for August 21, is aimed at recreating an ancient Yoruba tradition in which traditional rulers gathered at the palace of the Ajero of Ijero to deliberate on issues affecting their people and the wider Yoruba community.
The Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development has officially recognised the festival, describing it as more than a social gathering but an important platform for preserving Yoruba history, culture and heritage.
According to the Bureau’s Director-General, Wale Ojo-Lanre, the festival reflects the historical relationship between Ijero and Ile-Ife and the shared ancestry of Yoruba traditional rulers.
He explained that the traditional rulers would recreate the ancient gathering by sitting in a ceremonial arrangement, with the Ajero and the Ooni at the centre. The monarchs are expected to offer prayers and deliberate on challenges, opportunities and issues affecting the development of Yorubaland.
The Ooni of Ife, who has attended the previous editions of the Ita-Ajero Festival, is expected to lead the gathering of monarchs at this year’s celebration.
The Ajero of Ijero Kingdom, Oba Joseph Adebayo Adewole, described the festival as a celebration of history and culture rooted in the ancient relationship between Ijero and Ile-Ife.
He explained that the modern Ita-Ajero Festival emerged from a 2023 gathering of Ijero indigenes in Texas, United States, where participants from different parts of the diaspora resolved to reconnect with their ancestral homeland through an annual cultural celebration.
Activities for the 2026 edition began on August 18 and include a pageant, Shugudu Night and the grand finale on August 21 at Erekesen Market Square.
Organisers also plan to launch a N2 billion Ita-Ajero Festival Pavilion, which they say is intended to become a major cultural and tourism facility in the South-West.
The festival is expected to attract indigenes of Ijero from Nigeria and the diaspora, traditional rulers, tourists and other cultural enthusiasts, further positioning Ekiti State as a destination for cultural tourism.
The convergence of the monarchs is also expected to strengthen Yoruba unity and promote the preservation of indigenous history and traditions for younger generations.
