Nigeria is preparing to host the inaugural World Orisa Congress, a major cultural event that will connect Orisa practitioners worldwide and generate significant economic impact
Nigeria is set to host the first-ever World Orisa Congress, a groundbreaking event that will unite practitioners, scholars, and enthusiasts of the Orisa tradition from around the world.
Announced by Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, Executive Secretary and CEO of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO), the congress will be an annual gathering designed to highlight the global significance of the Orisa tradition and the Yoruba traditional religion.
Ajiboye made the announcement during a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, where he revealed that preparations for the congress were already in progress.
The event is expected to draw participants from countries like Brazil, Cuba, Trinidad and Tobago, and other Caribbean nations where the Orisa tradition has deep roots.
Though the exact date has yet to be set, the congress is anticipated to be a major cultural and spiritual event for Orisa devotees worldwide.
The World Orisa Congress is seen as a significant step toward reconnecting Africans in the Diaspora with their cultural heritage.
Ajiboye emphasized that the congress represents a powerful affirmation of cultural identity, fostering a global sense of belonging among people of African descent.
With over 500 million people around the world practicing African traditional religions, including the Orisa tradition, the event will provide a unique opportunity to unite these global communities.
Ajiboye highlighted the long-standing desire among the African Diaspora to reconnect with their ancestral roots, particularly among those descended from individuals taken to the Americas through the transatlantic slave trade.
In Brazil alone, there are over 89 million people with connections to the Orisa tradition, a number that reflects the potential impact of the congress.
The World Orisa Congress will also serve as a platform for cultural exchange, offering opportunities to share knowledge, experiences, and best practices related to the promotion and preservation of Nigeria’s cultural heritage.
Ajiboye stressed that the event will contribute to showcasing Nigeria’s rich cultural history on the global stage.
In addition to its cultural significance, the congress holds substantial economic potential. Ajiboye projected that the event could generate between five to six billion U.S. dollars, with Nigeria expected to host over one million visitors.
This influx of visitors would provide a boost to Nigeria’s tourism and cultural trade, while also promoting global understanding and peace.
Ajiboye also emphasized the potential for the congress to contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth, particularly in the context of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
By fostering cross-cultural exchange and attracting global attention, the event will help diversify Nigeria’s economy and increase foreign exchange earnings.
Ajiboye outlined the broader goals of the World Orisa Congress, which include breaking down cultural barriers, promoting empathy, and positioning Nigeria as a leader in cultural diplomacy.
The congress will leverage traditional institutions as cultural ambassadors, strengthening Nigeria’s standing as a top cultural tourism destination.
By bringing together people of Orisa descent from around the world, the congress will build a sustainable and diversified revenue stream for Nigeria.
It will also create a lasting legacy of cooperation and cultural understanding, with the potential to attract nearly one million visitors annually, generating consistent economic benefits.
Through this initiative, Nigeria is positioning itself to be a key player in global cultural tourism and to harness the power of its rich heritage for both spiritual and economic advancement.
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