Statesman
Independence Era · 1909 – 1987
Chief Obafemi Awolowo
Asiwaju Awon Yoruba
Architect of free education in Nigeria and first Premier of the Western Region — the political conscience of a generation.
UN/ECOSOC Consultative Status · Reg. IT 28744
Reg. IT 28744 · Established 2005
Uniting the Global
Yoruba In Diaspora
Fun Isokan, Idagbasoke ati Ilosiwaju Omo Yoruba Lapapo
A UN/ECOSOC Special Consultative Status NGO championing unity, economic empowerment, and cultural preservation for Yoruba people across every continent.
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Members Worldwide
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Global Chapters
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Countries Represented
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Years of Impact
YIF
Est. 2005
UN/ECOSOC
Consultative Status
Consultative Status
20+
Years Active
Our Mission
Advancing Unity,
Progress & Pride
"Our mission is to genuinely and sincerely reach out to corporate entities, traditional rulers, leaders, sons and daughters of the Yoruba race for progress and unity."
Since 2005, YIF has championed non-partisan cooperation among Yorubas at communal, local, and international levels — building bridges across a diaspora spanning five continents.
Backed by UN/ECOSOC Special Consultative Status (granted 2019) and registered as Reg. IT 28744, we are a recognised force for cultural preservation and collective advancement.
Learn Our StoryWhat We Do
Programs & Initiatives
Economic
Karo-Ojire Investments
A cooperative economy initiative enabling Yoruba families to build wealth through collective ownership, self-employment, and enterprise creation.
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Education
Scholarship Program
Top-slot scholarships for exceptional Yoruba students at premium universities worldwide. Your heritage. Your future. Rewarded.
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Recognition
Order of Odua Awards
Annual recognition of illustrious Yoruba leaders — awarded the staff of distinction for their service, sacrifice, and advancement of the Yoruba people.
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Youth
Youth Development
Empowering the next generation of Yoruba leaders through mentorship, skills training, and cultural engagement — at home and in the diaspora.
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Wall of Influence
The Yoruba icons whoseshoulders we stand on.
From Awolowo’s free education to the Ooni’s digital diaspora — eight figures whose courage, scholarship and stewardship shape every YIF programme today.
Activist
Colonial Resistance · 1900 – 1978
Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti
Iyalode of the Yorubas
The Lioness of Lisabi — organizer of the Abeokuta Women's Union and the first Nigerian woman to drive a car.
Royalty
Cultural Revival · 1930 – 2015
Oba Okunade Sijuwade
Ooni of Ife
The 50th Ooni of Ife — a global ambassador who carried the Yoruba spiritual office onto the world stage.
Royalty
Modern Monarchy · 1938 – 2022
Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III
Alaafin of Oyo
The 45th Alaafin — fifty-two years on the throne of Oyo and a relentless voice for Yoruba unity.
Royalty
Digital Renaissance · Born 1974
Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi
Ooni of Ife
The 51st Ooni — bridging ancient stool and digital era through entrepreneurship, diaspora outreach and youth investment.
Governance
Second Republic · 1908 – 1997
Chief Adekunle Ajasin
Educator-turned-governor whose name remains shorthand for integrity in Nigerian public life.
Education
Second Republic · 1929 – 1989
Prof. Ambrose Folorunsho Alli
Professor of pathology turned reformist governor — built free education and the university that bears his name.
Arts
Independence Era · Born 1934
Prof. Wole Soyinka
Akinwande Oluwole Babatunde Soyinka
First African Nobel Laureate in Literature — a fearless dramatist, essayist and political prisoner whose pen has shaped a continent's conscience.
Music
Post-Independence · 1938 – 1997
Fela Anikulapo-Kuti
Abami Eda
Architect of Afrobeat — the saxophonist-prophet whose music turned the Yoruba groove into the global vocabulary of resistance.
Cinema
Colonial Resistance · 1916 – 1990
Chief Hubert Ogunde
The pioneer who turned travelling Yoruba folk-opera into a professional theatre industry — and ultimately into Nollywood's first roots.
Cinema
Cultural Revival · Born 1948
Chief Tunde Kelani
Cinematographer-storyteller whose Mainframe Films preserved Yoruba literature on screen and gave Nollywood its art-house standard.
Diaspora
Cultural Revival · 1915 – 2009
Susanne Wenger
Adunni Olorisha
Austrian artist who became a Yoruba Olorisha and rebuilt the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove — now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Statesman
Democracy Struggle · 1937 – 1998
Chief MKO Abiola
Aare Ona Kakanfo of Yorubaland
Winner of the annulled June 12, 1993 election — the businessman who paid for Nigerian democracy with his life.
Governance
Second Republic · 1929 – 2021
Alhaji Lateef Jakande
Baba Kekere
First civilian Governor of Lagos — the journalist-statesman who built schools, housing estates and metro plans the city still depends on.
Governance
Second Republic · 1930 – 2001
Chief Bola Ige
Cicero of Esa-Oke
Silver-tongued lawyer-politician — Governor of old Oyo State, Attorney-General of Nigeria, and a martyr of the rule of law.
Faith
Digital Renaissance · Born 1954
Bishop David Oyedepo
Founder of Living Faith Church Worldwide — pastor, prolific author and chancellor of two of Africa's leading private universities.
Statesman
Digital Renaissance · Born 1957
Prof. Yemi Osinbajo
Senior Advocate, professor of law and Vice President of Nigeria (2015 – 2023) — a quiet architect of social-investment reform.
Voices From Our Community
What Our Members Say
YIF has transformed how we engage our Yoruba community here in South Africa. The annual awards ceremony is a highlight — it reconnects us to our roots and celebrates those who sacrifice for our people.
GA
Dr. Gbenga Adeyeye
South Africa Representative
The scholarship Program opened doors I never thought possible. As a young Yoruba student studying abroad, having YIF's support meant I could pursue excellence without the financial burden holding me back.
AO
Kayode Abimbola
YIF Scholarship Recipient
Karo-Ojire is more than an investment — it is a philosophy. We are proving that the Yoruba people can organise, build collectively, and create wealth on our own terms.
OF
Mr. Olumide Fashola
Economic Empowerment Member
Be Part of Something Bigger
Your Heritage. Your Community.
Your Foundation.
Whether you are in Lagos, London, Lisbon, or anywhere across the globe — YIF is your home. Join thousands of Yoruba people united in progress, pride, and purpose.
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