Economic Development
Empowering communities · Building infrastructure · Connecting Yorubaland to the world
A Throne Built on
Enterprise
His Imperial Majesty Ooni Adeyeye Ogunwusi brings to the throne a rare combination of royal authority and real-world entrepreneurial experience. Before his coronation, he spent over 12 years building Gran Imperio Group — a conglomerate spanning real estate, construction, and tourism — developing over 2,500 housing units.
As Ooni, he has channelled that experience into a comprehensive vision for the economic transformation of Ile-Ife and the broader Yoruba region — combining infrastructure investment, youth empowerment, women's entrepreneurship, and Pan-African trade frameworks.
The wealth of Ile-Ife is not underground. It is in our culture, our creativity, our youth, and our connections to 250 million Yoruba people around the world.
Development Initiatives
A multi-billion naira development spanning over 1,000 acres — designed to transform Ile-Ife into a world-class heritage tourism destination. The project has engaged over 3,000 youths in construction, hospitality, and cultural programming, creating sustainable employment directly tied to Yoruba heritage.
Founded before his coronation, Gran Imperio Group spans real estate, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), manufacturing, and tourism. Over 2,500 housing units developed. The Ooni continues to advocate for the group's model of indigenous enterprise-led development as a template for economic sovereignty.
The ₦1 Billion Women Owned Micro Businesses (WOMB) fund — launched in partnership with SMEDAN — provides training, funding, mentorship, and market access to female entrepreneurs across Nigeria. The initiative directly targets economic inclusion at the grassroots level, with a focus on South-West and rural communities.
Announced at RAYLF 2024, the Royal African Chamber of Commerce aims to create structured trade linkages between African kingdoms, diaspora communities, and international partners. It builds on the cultural diplomacy work that preceded Nigeria's landmark $1 billion Brazil cooperation framework signed in August 2025.
Appointed Chancellor of the University of Nigeria, Nsukka by President Buhari in 2016, the Ooni has consistently linked education to economic transformation. The Hopes Alive Initiative's Ojaja Mathematics Quiz and scholarship programmes represent direct investment in human capital development across the South-West.
Nearly a decade of cultural diplomacy — walking Brazil's streets, visiting quilombos, and building relationships with Candomblé communities — directly preceded President Tinubu's August 2025 visit and the landmark $1 billion bilateral cooperation agreement between Nigeria and Brazil.
Get Involved
Whether you are an investor, an entrepreneur, a diaspora professional, or simply a supporter of Yoruba development — there is a place for you in this vision.
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