Ooni Of Ife Launches Ojaja varsity, Ile-Ife Campus

The Permanent Chairman of the Southern Nigeria Traditional Rulers Council (SNTRC) and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, on Saturday commissioned the Ojaja University Ile-Ife Campus, dedicating it to the service of humanity. The event formed a major highlight of activities marking his 10th Coronation Anniversary.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony held on the university grounds, the Ooni urged stakeholders in the education sector to view the establishment of universities as legacy-driven investments rather than profit-oriented ventures. He emphasised that building educational institutions should serve the long-term development of the nation and uplift future generations.

Oba Ogunwusi recounted the journey leading to the establishment of the university, noting that it began in Ilorin, Kwara State, and later transitioned into the Ojaja University vision. He revealed that six years ago, when the institution risked collapse, he took up the project to preserve it and develop it into a legacy for posterity.

“There is nothing in this world if you don’t create a legacy for yourself. Wealth and positions can fade, but legacy lasts forever,” he said.

He added that the institution, which had no single structure a decade ago, now boasts more than 40 buildings, with vast land available for further expansion.

The Ooni also expressed profound appreciation to the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Sa’ad Abubakar III, describing him as a consistent pillar of support and wisdom throughout his reign.

In his remarks, the Sultan hailed the Ooni for his commitment to improving the lives of young people, noting that investing in education remains one of the most powerful legacies any leader can leave behind.

“This university has been built by the Ooni for humanity. I am grateful to Almighty Allah that in our time, we have a leader like him who is deeply committed to enhancing the lives of our people,” he said. He also urged Nigerians to pray for the nation’s leaders, including President Bola Tinubu, state governors, and traditional rulers.

Also speaking, the Pro-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council, Prof. Lere Baale, described the Ooni as a visionary monarch who has emerged as a pioneer among African traditional rulers by taking institutional ownership of higher education as a tool for generational empowerment.

He highlighted the urgency of expanding quality education in Africa, noting that with 60% of the continent’s 1.4 billion people under the age of 25, failure to invest in education could turn this demographic into a “time bomb.”

Prof. Baale also revealed that Ojaja University is preparing to leverage artificial intelligence to promote IFA Divination and other indigenous knowledge systems, with plans to seek National Universities Commission (NUC) approval to award degrees in these fields.

Earlier, the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Jeleel Ojuade, said the Ile-Ife Campus was conceived as the cultural and creative heartbeat of the university. He announced that it would host faculties and programmes focused on arts, culture, languages, media, and creative technologies — including Mass Communication, Broadcasting, Film and Multimedia Studies, Public Relations, Yoruba Language, Music, and Theatre Arts.

He described the campus as a place “where culture meets innovation, heritage meets technology, and creativity meets global relevance.”

The event drew an impressive list of dignitaries, including the Deji of Akure, Oba Aladetoyinbo Ogunlade Aladelusi; Orangun of Oke-Ila, Oba Adedokun Abolarin; Orangun of Ila, Oba Wahab Kayode Adedeji; Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adewole; Iyalaje Oodua, Chief Toyin Kolade; Yeye Bobajiro Oodua, Dr. Afolashade Shona-Aluko, among others.