UN/ECOSOC Special Consultative Status · Reg. IT 28744
UN/ECOSOC Consultative Status · Reg. IT 28744

Established 2005 · Reg. IT 28744

Rooted in Heritage.
United in Purpose.

"Fun Isokan, Idagbasoke ati Ilosiwaju Omo Yoruba Lapapo"

2005Year Founded
2019UN/ECOSOC Status
19+Countries Represented
IT 28744Registration No.

Who We Are

Mission & Vision

"Our mission is to genuinely and sincerely reach out to corporate entities, traditional rulers, leaders, organizations, and sons and daughters of the Yoruba race for progress and unity."

The Yoruba Indigenes' Foundation (YIF) is a global non-governmental organization uniting Yoruba people across the world. With UN/ECOSOC Special Consultative Status granted in 2019, YIF operates at the intersection of culture, governance, and community development.

Our reach-out endeavour continuously updates knowledge toward conscious and unparalleled ideas for strengthening the cultural entities of Yoruba values — mostly through formal teaching and learning processes in high schools, colleges, and institutions abroad.

Our Objectives

  1. 01

    Create mechanisms for non-partisan cooperation among Yorubas at communal, local, and international levels.

  2. 02

    Plan and actualize cooperation among Yorubas through research, investigation, and policy formulation promoting economic progress, social harmony, and general well-being.

  3. 03

    Initiate consultation and cooperation with Yoruba-friendly individuals, NGOs, and international bodies — linking them with relevant Yoruba state authorities.

  4. 04

    Preserve Yoruba culture through formal teaching and learning processes in high schools, colleges, and educational institutions abroad.

  5. 05

    Enable sons and daughters of the Yoruba race to break free from poverty through cooperative economic initiatives and entrepreneurship.

Our Core Values

Unity
Empowerment
Cultural Pride
Transparency
Self-Reliance
Global Reach

Our History

How We Began

Almost two decades of building bridges, preserving culture, and empowering the Yoruba people worldwide.

2005
/06
Milestone

Foundation Established

The Yoruba Indigenes' Foundation was founded by Late Chief Ambassador Segun Olusola and co-founders including Dr. Aderibole Olumide, Chief Mrs. Winifred Awosika, Chief Rasheed Abiodun Gbadamosi, and other distinguished Yoruba leaders united by a shared vision of global Yoruba unity.

2010s

Global Expansion

YIF chapters established across the United Kingdom, United States, Brazil, China, France, Austria, Ireland, Portugal, Uganda, and more — building a truly global network of Yoruba communities.

2019
Milestone

UN/ECOSOC Recognition

The United Nations Economic and Social Council granted YIF Special Consultative Status, recognising the Foundation's significant contributions to culture, community development, and international Yoruba representation. Registration No. IT 28744.

2024
–25

Scholarship Programme

Launch of the YIF Scholarship Programme 2024–2025 batch — providing top-slot scholarships in premium universities at home and abroad to Yoruba indigenes based on academic merit and financial need.

Standing on the Shoulders of Giants

Our Founding Figures

Late Chief Ambassador Segun Olusola (Founding Chairman)
Dr. Aderibole Olumide (Founding President/CEO)
Chief Mrs. Winifred Awosika
Chief Rasheed Abiodun Gbadamosi
Late Dr. Lateef Adegbite
Late Dr. Fredrick Fasheun
Late General Adeyinka Adebayo
Chief Mrs. Mobolaji Oshomo
Late Ooni Okuade Sijuade Olubuse II

National Executive

Our Leadership

Dedicated individuals steering YIF's mission across continents.

AF

Chief Abiodun Fajobi

Chairman, Board of Trustees

OA

Prof Oluyemisi Akinyemiju

Chairman, Advisory Board

TO

Prince Tajudeen Olusi (MON, OON)

Life Patron YIF Worldwide

AO

Dr. Aderibole Olumide

National President / CEO

AA

Chief Aderounmu Adesesan

National Coordinator

OA

Chief Mrs Oseyemi Awosika

Vice President (Co-founder)

OL

Mr. Omosehin Lawson

National Secretary / CEO

FO

Mrs. Funmilola Osifowora

Director of Welfare

OA

Ogundare Adenike

Youth Coordinator

KF

Mrs. Kikelomo Fareo

Director of Women Affairs

AO

Comrade Akintoye Olaoluwa

Director of Admin & Mobilization

AA

Dr. Adetokunbo Adedeji

Chairman, Organizing Committee

MB

Mr. Mokelu Bayo

Director of Protocol

SO

Mr. Sanjo Olawuyi

Director of Publicity

AO

Chief Adebayo Odeyemi

Public Relations Officer

OE

Mr. Olufemi E.A Ogoigbe

Director, Project & Coordination

OA

Otunba (Barr) Olu Adenodi

Legal Adviser

OF

Mr. Oluwatosin Famori

Director, IT & Youth Affairs

United Kingdom

UK Executive Team

MA

Princess M. Adewunmi King (Labamba)

National Co-ordinator, UK

AA

Hon. Adeoye Ayinde Obanleowo

Director of Communications & PR

AA

Adeyinka Alabi

Financial Secretary

JO

Joy Olufunmilayo Coker

Director of Mobilisation

AA

Abiola A. Makinde (ABM)

Director of Women Affairs

AA

Aderemi Amokeokin Spencer

Public Relations Officer

EK

Mr. Edward Kayode Adeleye

Treasurer

AO

Amos Ogunyemi

Secretary

JA

Jennifer Adesanya

Asst. Director of Mobilisation

Royal Endorsement

Grand Patrons & Notable Supporters

Grand Patron

HM Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II

Ooni of Ile-Ife (Current)

Grand Patron

HIM Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi

Alaafin of Oyo

Grand Patron (Late)

HIM Oba Alayeluwa Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II

Former Ooni of Ife

Asiwaju Michael Ade OjoChief (Mrs) Mobolaji OsomoChief Jimoh IbrahimWale BabalakinChief Michael Adeojo (Elizade Motors)Erelu Dosunmu AbiolaChief Ayoade OshinladeChief John OdeyemiOba Michael AkinruntanOba Adekunle MakamaOlowu Kuta

Global Presence

Our Diaspora Representatives

YIF representatives spanning five continents, united by heritage and purpose.

Africa

MaliMr Ayobami Prosper Micheal
South AfricaDr. Gbenga Adeyeye
UgandaAlhaji Abiola Olumola
South West, NigeriaPrincess Bolajoko Oyeronke

Americas

BrazilMr Bamidele Akindola
United StatesMs. Olushola Olude
United StatesMrs Oladipo Foluke

Europe

London, UKPrincess Omolabake Margret King
FrancePrincess Ogundowole Oluwaseyi

Asia

ChinaPrince Akintunde Awoyera

Global

DiasporaMr Adeyemi Adetula
Advisory CommitteeDr Ogundowole Bolu Johnson

United Nations Recognition

UN/ECOSOC Special Consultative Status

Granted by the United Nations Economic and Social Council in 2019. YIF holds Special Consultative Status as a recognised international non-governmental organisation. Registration No. IT 28744.

Our Network

Affiliated Organisations

Yoruba Council of EldersOodua Peoples CongressYoruba ParapoEgbe Omo Yoruba U.S.AYoruba Descendants BrazilYIF Dublin, IrelandYIF Austria ChapterYIF USA ChapterIbadan Progressive U.S.AThe Black HeritageOodua DynastyEkimogun AssociationsIkale Progressive U.S.AYIF U.K./Europe ChaptersEfon Alaye Progressive U.S.AYoruba Unity ForumEgbe Omo Yoruba Toronto, CanadaYoruba Community Association TorontoIfa Orisa Iyemoja BrazilOodua GroupEgbe Isokan Yoruba LondonYIF Lisbon, Portugal

Governance & Documentation

Access our constitution, annual reports, and organisational policies.

View Documents