Alaafin of Oyo urges Yoruba Unity to restore traditions and harness cultural tourism for economic diversification at the 2025 Iyake Festiva

According to organisers of the 2025 Iyake International Festival in Ado-Awaye, Oyo State, the Alaafin of Oyo Urges Yoruba Unity to restore cultural values and traditions, emphasising the economic potential of tourism-driven heritage revival.

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Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade said Nigeria must reduce its overreliance on oil and refocus development through cultural initiatives that attract both domestic and international tourists.

The monarch highlighted that nations achieving long-term growth often do so by strengthening cultural identities, which form the foundation for sustainable development.

Citing China’s Cultural Revolution of 1965–1968 as an example, Oba Owoade noted how deliberate cultural rejuvenation can restore national pride, reshape political behaviour, and boost economic strength.

He urged the Yoruba to appreciate and project their cultural heritage confidently, stressing that cultural artifacts and festivals could be developed to meet international tourist standards, generating substantial foreign revenue.

The monarch added, “In the first instance, this stimulates rural development since most tourist attractions are located in rural communities.

Secondly, it reduces rural-urban migration and congestion in urban centres, creating employment and income opportunities for rural dwellers.”

Oba Owoade, who attended the festival alongside his Queen Consort, Ayaba Abiwunmi, praised the Yoruba for their historically rich artistic traditions, noting that vibrant economies and commercial systems provided artists with access to metals, wood, and clay, enabling creativity to flourish.

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The Alaafin’s call underscores the importance of cultural cohesion not only for national unity but also as a vehicle for economic diversification and development in Nigeria.