Ghana’s former president, John Dramani Mahama, has been conferred with one of the Yoruba people’s most revered chieftaincy titles, “Aare Atayeto Oodua of the Source”, by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II. The ceremony took place today, Monday, December 15, 2025, in Osun State, Nigeria.
The title, which translates loosely as “A President Who Reorganizes the Global Space for Humanity”, is reserved for figures whose leadership and advocacy have left a mark on humanity and international cooperation. The investiture took place at the Ooni’s palace in Ile-Ife, widely regarded as the spiritual home of the Yoruba people. The ancient city was decorated with canopies, traditional regalia, and portraits of Mahama, as dignitaries, chiefs, and residents gathered to witness the occasion.
The honour, palace officials said, recognizes Mahama’s commitment to multilateralism, equity, and sustainable development, particularly for countries in the Global South.Mahama has long positioned himself as a voice for developing nations. In a recent address at the United Nations, he called for stronger collaboration on climate change and economic inequality, urging that developing countries must have a stronger voice in shaping international policies.
This is not Mahama’s first Yoruba honour. In 2015, President Mahama was named “Aare Atolase of Offa” by the Offa Kingdom in Kwara State. At the time, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye I praised him as a leader “who ensures the nobility of this Kingdom is maintained.”
The new title, observers say, further cements Mahama’s cultural and diplomatic ties with Nigeria, reinforcing Ghana–Nigeria relations at both traditional and political levels.
The Ooni of Ife is considered one of the most influential Yoruba rulers, with authority extending beyond Nigeria to the wider Yoruba diaspora. He has been a prominent advocate for cultural preservation, interfaith harmony, and socio-economic development, positioning Ile-Ife as a hub of Yoruba identity and global outreach.
