Nigeria is set to host the maiden edition of the World Orisa Congress, a global gathering of practitioners, scholars, and enthusiasts of the Orisa tradition and Yoruba traditional religion.
This was disclosed by Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, the Executive Secretary/CEO of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), during a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday.
Ajiboye announced that preparations are already underway for the landmark event, which aims to bring together participants from across the globe, including countries like Brazil, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, and other Caribbean nations where the Orisa traditional religion is practised.
“The World Orisa Congress is an affirmation of the coalescence of cultural identity with Africans in the diaspora,” Ajiboye said. “It is our ultimate spiritual connection as a people with a common goal and destiny.”
Ajiboye highlighted the congress as a response to the long-standing yearnings of Africans in the diaspora—many of whom were forcibly taken from Nigeria during the transatlantic slave trade over 500 years ago.
“There are about 500 million people globally connected to the traditional religion of African people. Devotees of various deities are eager to reconnect with their ancestral roots,” he explained.
He noted that in Brazil alone, over 89 million people are ready to align with the vision of the World Orisa Congress. The initiative, according to Ajiboye, is also a direct outcome of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent state visit to Brazil, during which several proposals for cultural collaboration were put forward by Brazilian authorities.
The proposed congress is expected to generate significant economic and cultural benefits for Nigeria, including an estimated five to six billion U.S. dollars in revenue. With over one million visitors projected to attend, the event is set to play a pivotal role in promoting Nigeria’s cultural heritage, tourism, and global standing.
“This project is also necessitated by the need to boost Nigeria’s GDP and generate foreign exchange earnings to improve the living standards of Nigerians, in line with President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda,” Ajiboye said.
He emphasized that the congress would not only foster cultural exchange but also break down stereotypes, promote cross-cultural understanding, and position Nigeria as a leading destination for cultural tourism and pilgrimage.
The World Orisa Congress will provide a platform for sharing knowledge, best practices, and experiences in preserving Nigeria’s cultural history. It will also encourage collaboration between traditional institutions and stakeholders globally.
Ajiboye underscored the initiative’s potential to diversify Nigeria’s economy by tapping into the diaspora’s resources while fostering global cooperation and understanding.
“If sustained, this project will enhance cross-cultural empathy, create future revenue streams, and attract millions of visitors annually on a sustainable basis,” he said.
The exact date for the congress is yet to be announced, but the event promises to be a milestone in reconnecting Africans in the diaspora with their heritage while boosting Nigeria’s cultural and economic profile.