Ooni Of Ife’s 7 Queens In 2025

As of 2025, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ọjájá II), the traditional ruler of the Yoruba kingdom of Ife — is widely known to have seven wives, whom he calls his Ayabas (queens). The Ooni, known for reviving Yoruba culture and heritage, married these women between 2022 and 2023 in a traditional sequence that attracted national attention.

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Below is a detailed list of his seven beautiful queens, their names, professions, ages (where available), and key details about each one:

1. Olori Mariam Anako-Ogunwusi (Senior Queen / Yeyeluwa of Ife)

Current Role (2025): Mariam remains the Senior Queen and the most visible Ayaba in palace administration.

Recent Activities: She has spearheaded the Queen Mariam Empowerment Foundation (QMEF), focusing on widows, orphans, and women entrepreneurs across Yoruba states.

Palace Influence: Highly respected for her diplomacy, she often coordinates palace functions and represents the Ooni in inter-royal events.

Public Image: Elegant, reserved, and motherly — regarded as the “backbone of the royal household.”

2. Olori Elizabeth Opeoluwa Akinmuda

Current Role (2025): Known for her quiet but consistent humanitarian work, Elizabeth now serves as a youth development advocate within the palace’s outreach team.

Recent Activities: She was part of the 2025 “Ile-Ife Young Leaders Initiative”, which trained over 300 youths in vocational skills.

Public Image: Rarely grants interviews but is respected for her modesty and commitment to women’s education and social responsibility.

3. Olori Tobi Phillips-Ogunwusi

Current Role (2025): Continues as one of the most glamorous and media-savvy queens.

Recent Activities: In 2025, she launched the “T.P. Royal Design Academy”, mentoring young Nigerians in interior design, fashion, and entrepreneurship.

Palace Duties: Often accompanies the Ooni to cultural festivals and tourism events.

Public Image: Modern, stylish, and confident — symbolizing the blend of royalty and 21st-century womanhood.

4. Olori Ashley Adegoke-Ogunwusi

Current Role (2025): Oversees the Ashley Adegoke Foundation, expanding into education and child health programs across Osun State.

Recent Activities: She recently led a palace health initiative — “Healthy Mothers, Healthy Nation” — providing free prenatal care to rural women.

Palace Role: Considered a custodian of Yoruba customs in the palace; she frequently supervises traditional ceremonies and heritage preservation events.

Public Image: Calm, intelligent, and deeply spiritual; she’s also one of the few queens with Ife royal ancestry.

5. Olori Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi

Current Role (2025): Continues her work as a global cultural ambassador.

Recent Activities: Organized the Africa Fashion Week London 2025 and the Queen Moremi Festival of Heritage, attracting designers from 20 African countries.

Palace Duties: Head of the Queen Moremi Ajasoro (QMA) Initiative, promoting women’s leadership and cultural pride.

Public Image: Articulate, visionary, and international — often described as the “Queen of Culture.”

6. Olori Temitope Adesegun-Ogunwusi

Current Role (2025): Now the Executive Director of Hopes Alive Initiative (HAI), working closely with the Ooni’s foundation.

Recent Activities: Involved in the 2025 National Girl-Child Mentorship Summit, focusing on education, menstrual hygiene, and technology access for girls.

Palace Role: Acts as a liaison between the palace and corporate organizations, helping to coordinate CSR partnerships.

Public Image: Charismatic and media-friendly, with a focus on development, communication, and women’s health.

7. Olori Opeoluwa Elizabeth Akinmuda

Current Role (2025): Recently appointed as a consultant on human resource reform within the Ooni’s business and cultural ventures.

Recent Activities: She’s been quietly managing training workshops under the Royal Women’s Enterprise Hub, helping women start small businesses.

Public Image: Reserved but highly educated, often described as “the palace’s silent strategist.”

The Palace Today: Harmony and Modern Royalty

Despite the challenges of a multi-queen household, palace insiders describe a stable and cooperative environment. Each queen has her distinct area of influence:

Mariam – Leadership & Philanthropy

Ronke – Culture & Heritage

Ashley – Tradition & Religion

Tobi – Media & Modernity

Temitope – Social Impact & Education

Elizabeth – Women Empowerment

Opeoluwa – Business & Management

The Ooni’s vision is to modernize Yoruba royalty, empowering his wives as ambassadors of culture, faith, and development.

Notable Facts:

The Ooni refers to all his wives as “Queens of the Source,” reflecting Ile-Ife’s place as the cradle of the Yoruba civilization.

Most of the queens are graduates and professionals, balancing modernity with traditional royal duties.

They are often involved in the Queen Moremi Initiative, Ooni’s Foundation projects, and public advocacy for women and youth development.

Public Perception (2025)

Among Nigerians and across Africa, the Ooni’s queens are often praised for balancing tradition with professionalism. Many see them as examples of how modern women can thrive within cultural institutions without losing their individuality.

They continue to appear together at major events such as:

Olojo Festival (Ife)

Queen Moremi Pageant

African Heritage Summits

International Women’s Day Celebrations