Yoruba leaders from various sectors recently came together for the First Yoruba Obas Summit Oba Ikate Elegushi Royal Palace in Lagos. The groundbreaking event that held on Thursday November 7, was designed to strengthen unity, heritage, and prosperity across Yoruba land. Led by Aare Oladotun Hassan, President of the Yoruba Council Worldwide, the summit marked a moment of reflection, ambition, and renewed commitment to the Yoruba cause.
With a vision rooted in cultural pride and socio-economic progress, the event drew royal majesties, government officials, and leaders from across the Yoruba diaspora.
Hassan’s address resonated with a sense of purpose, calling the summit an “epochal event” ordained to safeguard and uplift Yoruba land.
“Today is more than an event; it is a movement,” he stated, emphasizing the summit’s role in solidifying a collective Yoruba identity that spans both local and international communities.
He welcomed all attendees to Lagos, the “city of aquatic splendor,” extending gratitude to the traditional rulers and dignitaries who had come to support this critical moment in Yoruba history.
Aare Hassan’s Talking Points
The summit within its precint laid out a comprehensive agenda aimed at addressing long-standing issues while charting a path for future generations. Key proposals included a call for revising existing laws to protect the rights and resources of Yoruba land, particularly through a demand for the removal of the 1978 Land Use Act. This, leaders argue, would restore land sovereignty to traditional institutions, empowering them to safeguard the environment and the livelihoods of their people.
Another crucial objective was the reintegration of the historic Western Region Laws into the Nigerian constitution, granting Yoruba traditional leaders a recognized and protected role within government.
Hassan asserted: “Our traditional rulers must have the independence and authority to govern their lands and protect their people,”
The call for a new framework includes establishing a Federal Ministry of Chieftaincy and Traditional Affairs, a move aimed at elevating the role of Yoruba Obas as custodians of cultural and political integrity.
Education and youth development were central themes, with proposals for a 35% budget allocation to education in Yoruba land and a 25% allocation dedicated to youth initiatives. The Yoruba Council Worldwide also introduced the Omoluabi Identity Card, a symbol of unity that will serve as a digital social number for every Yoruba person. “It’s not just an ID—it’s a declaration of our shared heritage and commitment to Yoruba values,” Hassan emphasized.
Agricultural growth was another priority, with plans for a Southwest Agricultural Economic Development Zone. Overseen by the Obas in each domain, this initiative aims to boost food security, promote mechanized farming, and produce key crops and livestock to meet Yoruba land’s needs. The vision includes a sustainable agricultural economy that supports local employment and reduces reliance on external imports.
The summit culminated in a call for May 1 to be celebrated globally as Yoruba National Unity Day. “This day will remind us of our strength in unity and our heritage,” Hassan declared, inviting all Yoruba people to join in this celebration annually.
This summit is a reminder that, while the journey is challenging, the shared commitment to a prosperous and united Yoruba land will keep them moving forward.
