UNESCO to recognise Oyo as international heritage site

By Adejayan Gbenga

The Alaafin of Oyo has joined global cultural stakeholders in Brazil as the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) moves toward recognising Oyo as an International Heritage Site for Yoruba Exceptional Values.

The proposal was made public at an ongoing international conference in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, where scholars, cultural institutions, and government representatives are discussing the preservation of Yoruba cultural heritage.

Organisers of the event said the initiative reflects growing international interest in safeguarding Oyo’s historical and cultural significance for future generations.

The conference examined the historical evolution of the Oyo Empire, describing it as one of the earliest centralised states in West Africa with a highly structured system of governance and military organisation.

It further noted that at its peak, the empire exercised political and cultural influence over several Yoruba kingdoms, including Ife, Ekiti, Ijesa, Egba, Ijebu, Ondo, Sabe and Owu, while extending its reach into parts of present-day Benin Republic, Togo and Ghana.

Discussions also highlighted the spread of Yoruba cultural and spiritual traditions through the transatlantic slave trade, which contributed to the emergence of practices such as Candomblé Ketu in Brazil.

The Alaafin, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade I, attended the weeklong conference alongside delegates from Nigeria and Brazil, UNESCO representatives, universities, and cultural institutions.

The event also featured the launch of a trilingual book in Yoruba, English and Portuguese titled “Oyo, Centre for Yoruba Civilization,” aimed at strengthening global awareness of Yoruba heritage.