Established 2005 · Reg. IT 28744
Rooted in Heritage.
United in Purpose.
"Fun Isokan, Idagbasoke ati Ilosiwaju Omo Yoruba Lapapo"
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
- 01
Create mechanisms for non-partisan cooperation among Yorubas at communal, local, and international levels.
- 02
Plan and actualize cooperation among Yorubas through research, investigation, and policy formulation promoting economic progress, social harmony, and general well-being.
- 03
Initiate consultation and cooperation with Yoruba-friendly individuals, NGOs, and international bodies — linking them with relevant Yoruba state authorities.
- 04
Preserve Yoruba culture through formal teaching and learning processes in high schools, colleges, and educational institutions abroad.
- 05
Enable sons and daughters of the Yoruba race to break free from poverty through cooperative economic initiatives and entrepreneurship.
Our Core Values
Our History
How We Began
Almost two decades of building bridges, preserving culture, and empowering the Yoruba people worldwide.
/06
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.
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.
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.
–25
Scholarship Program
Launch of the YIF Scholarship Program 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
A Lineage of Leadership
One hundred and twenty years of Yoruba influence — woven through one timeline.
Hover any portrait for a quick read. Open a profile to explore the full legacy and the YIF programmes it inspires.
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti — Feminist Pioneer & Women's Rights Activist (1900 – 1978). The Lioness of Lisabi — organizer of the Abeokuta Women's Union and the first Nigerian woman to drive a car.
Chief Adekunle Ajasin — Democratic Leader & Governance Reformer (1908 – 1997). Educator-turned-governor whose name remains shorthand for integrity in Nigerian public life.
Chief Obafemi Awolowo — Visionary Statesman & Nationalist (1909 – 1987). Architect of free education in Nigeria and first Premier of the Western Region — the political conscience of a generation.
Susanne Wenger — Austrian-Yoruba Priestess & Sacred-Grove Custodian (1915 – 2009). Austrian artist who became a Yoruba Olorisha and rebuilt the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove — now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Chief Hubert Ogunde — Father of Nigerian Theatre & Cinema (1916 – 1990). The pioneer who turned travelling Yoruba folk-opera into a professional theatre industry — and ultimately into Nollywood's first roots.
Prof. Ambrose Folorunsho Alli — Educational Pioneer & Reformist Governor (1929 – 1989). Professor of pathology turned reformist governor — built free education and the university that bears his name.
Alhaji Lateef Jakande — Architect of Modern Lagos (1929 – 2021). First civilian Governor of Lagos — the journalist-statesman who built schools, housing estates and metro plans the city still depends on.
Oba Okunade Sijuwade — Spiritual Head of the Yoruba People (1930 – 2015). The 50th Ooni of Ife — a global ambassador who carried the Yoruba spiritual office onto the world stage.
Chief Bola Ige — Cicero of Esa-Oke & Constitutional Lawyer (1930 – 2001). Silver-tongued lawyer-politician — Governor of old Oyo State, Attorney-General of Nigeria, and a martyr of the rule of law.
Prof. Wole Soyinka — Nobel Laureate, Playwright & Conscience of a Nation (Born 1934). First African Nobel Laureate in Literature — a fearless dramatist, essayist and political prisoner whose pen has shaped a continent's conscience.
Chief MKO Abiola — Democracy Martyr & Pan-African Philanthropist (1937 – 1998). Winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 election — the businessman who paid for Nigerian democracy with his life.
Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III — Custodian of Yoruba Political Heritage (1938 – 2022). The 45th Alaafin — fifty-two years on the throne of Oyo and a relentless voice for Yoruba unity.
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti — Afrobeat Pioneer & Pan-African Voice (1938 – 1997). Architect of Afrobeat — the saxophonist-prophet whose music turned the Yoruba groove into the global vocabulary of resistance.
Chief Tunde Kelani — Master Filmmaker & Cultural Archivist (Born 1948). Cinematographer-storyteller whose Mainframe Films preserved Yoruba literature on screen and gave Nollywood its art-house standard.
Bishop David Oyedepo — Faith Leader, Educator & Author (Born 1954). Founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide — pastor, prolific author and chancellor of two of Africa's leading private universities.
Prof. Yemi Osinbajo — Constitutional Scholar & Reformist Statesman (Born 1957). Senior Advocate, professor of law and Vice President of Nigeria (2015 – 2023) — a quiet architect of social-investment reform.
Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi — Modern Spiritual Leader & Innovator (Born 1974). The 51st Ooni — bridging ancient stool and digital era through entrepreneurship, diaspora outreach and youth investment.
National Executive
Our Leadership
Dedicated individuals steering YIF's mission across continents.
Chief Abiodun Fajobi
Chairman, Board of Trustees
Prof Oluyemisi Akinyemiju
Chairman, Advisory Board
Prince Tajudeen Olusi (MON, OON)
Life Patron YIF Worldwide
Dr. Aderibole Olumide
National President / CEO
Chief Aderounmu Adesesan
National Coordinator
Chief Mrs Oseyemi Awosika
Vice President (Co-founder)
Mr. Omosehin Lawson
National Secretary / CEO
Mrs. Funmilola Osifowora
Director of Welfare
Ogundare Adenike
Youth Coordinator
Mrs. Kikelomo Fareo
Director of Women Affairs
Comrade Akintoye Olaoluwa
Director of Admin & Mobilization
Dr. Adetokunbo Adedeji
Chairman, Organizing Committee
Mr. Mokelu Bayo
Director of Protocol
Mr. Sanjo Olawuyi
Director of Publicity
Chief Adebayo Odeyemi
Public Relations Officer
Mr. Olufemi E.A Ogoigbe
Director, Project & Coordination
Otunba (Barr) Olu Adenodi
Legal Adviser
Mr. Oluwatosin Famori
Director, IT & Youth Affairs
United Kingdom
UK Executive Team
Princess M. Adewunmi King (Labamba)
National Co-ordinator, UK
Hon. Adeoye Ayinde Obanleowo
Director of Communications & PR
Adeyinka Alabi
Financial Secretary
Joy Olufunmilayo Coker
Director of Mobilisation
Abiola A. Makinde (ABM)
Director of Women Affairs
Aderemi Amokeokin Spencer
Public Relations Officer
Mr. Edward Kayode Adeleye
Treasurer
Amos Ogunyemi
Secretary
Jennifer Adesanya
Asst. Director of Mobilisation
Royal Endorsement
Grand Patrons & Notable Supporters
HM Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II
Ooni of Ile-Ife (Current)
HIM Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi
Alaafin of Oyo
HIM Oba Alayeluwa Okunade Sijuwade Olubuse II
Former Ooni of Ife
Global Presence
Our Diaspora Representatives
YIF representatives spanning five continents, united by heritage and purpose.
Africa
Americas
Europe
Asia
Global
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
Governance & Documentation
Access our constitution, annual reports, and organisational policies.