Royal celebrations are underway in the ancient city of Ile-Ife as His Imperial Majesty, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Ooni of Ife, marks a significant family milestone. The revered monarch took to social media on Monday, April 21, 2025, to celebrate his daughter Princess Adewamiwa’s 18th birthday with heartfelt messages and photographs that have captured public attention.
The Ooni, who is the 51st traditional ruler of the Yoruba kingdom of Ile-Ife, shared a series of striking photographs featuring the celebrant on his official Instagram page. The images showcase Princess Adewamiwa’s growth into young adulthood, highlighting the close bond between father and daughter that transcends the monarch’s royal duties.
In his touching tribute, Oba Ogunwusi expressed astonishment at how quickly time has passed, noting that his daughter has reached adulthood seemingly in the blink of an eye. His message conveyed both paternal pride and emotional reflection on the journey of parenthood.
“Adewamiwa is 18 today! Just like that, you’ve reached this beautiful milestone,” the monarch wrote. I’m so proud of the young woman you’re becoming. May God’s blessings and protection surround you today and always. With all my love, Daddy.”
The birthday celebration marks Princess Adewamiwa’s formal entry into adulthood, a significant transition in Yoruba culture where the 18th birthday traditionally represents a coming of age. While maintaining royal dignity, the Ooni’s public acknowledgment of this personal milestone offers a rare glimpse into the family life of one of Nigeria’s most prominent traditional rulers.
Cultural analysts note that such public displays of affection from traditional rulers were once uncommon, signaling evolving approaches to royal communication in the digital age. The Ooni of Ife has been recognized as one of Nigeria’s more progressive traditional leaders, often leveraging social media platforms to connect with younger generations while still maintaining the sacred traditions of the ancient Yoruba kingdom.
This public celebration reflects the delicate balance the Ooni maintains between his sacred position as a traditional ruler and his role as a modern father,” explained Professor Ademola Adegbite, a cultural historian specializing in Yoruba royal traditions. “It humanizes the monarchy while preserving its dignity.”
Princess Adewamiwa, though largely shielded from the public eye throughout her childhood, has occasionally appeared at select royal functions. Her 18th birthday represents a potential turning point that may see her taking on more public responsibilities aligned with her royal heritage, though any such developments would be carefully managed within the traditions of the palace.
The Ooni’s birthday message has generated warm responses from well-wishers across Nigeria, with many royal followers, cultural enthusiasts, and citizens extending congratulatory messages to the princess. Social media platforms have been flooded with birthday wishes from prominent Nigerians, traditional leaders, and ordinary citizens who hold the Ooni’s stool in high regard.
Royal birthdays in Yorubaland are traditionally marked with significant celebrations that often extend beyond immediate family to include community participation. While details of any formal celebrations for Princess Adewamiwa remain private, traditional customs would typically involve prayers, cultural performances, and charitable gestures to mark such occasions.
The Ooni of Ife, who ascended the throne in 2015, has been noted for his efforts to preserve Yoruba cultural heritage while embracing contemporary approaches to leadership. His public celebration of his daughter’s milestone birthday aligns with his broader approach of making the palace more accessible to younger Nigerians while maintaining the sacred traditions of the centuries-old institution.
Palace insiders suggest that Princess Adewamiwa has been raised with strong awareness of her heritage and the responsibilities that come with her royal lineage. Her education has reportedly included both conventional academic pursuits and deep immersion in Yoruba cultural traditions, preparing her for potential future roles that balance tradition with contemporary realities.
For royal children, turning 18 represents more than just a personal milestone,” noted Chief Olawale Adeoye, a cultural consultant on royal traditions. It often marks the beginning of more formal responsibilities connected to their heritage and potentially greater public visibility in supporting the throne’s cultural and community engagements.
The relationship between the Ooni and Princess Adewamiwa has been characterized by those close to the palace as one built on strong traditional values while embracing the realities of modern parenting. The monarch has been known to emphasize education and character development for young people, themes likely reflected in his daughter’s upbringing.
As the ancient kingdom of Ile-Ife continues to navigate its place in contemporary Nigeria, Princess Adewamiwa’s coming of age represents the continuation of a royal lineage that traces its origins to the very foundations of Yoruba civilization. The Ooni’s throne, considered one of the most spiritually significant in Yoruba tradition, carries responsibilities that extend beyond governance to the preservation of cultural heritage.
The princess’s 18th birthday thus resonates beyond family celebration, symbolizing the ongoing vitality of one of Africa’s oldest continuous monarchies and its ability to evolve while maintaining core traditions. As Princess Adewamiwa steps into adulthood, she does so as an heir to centuries of history and culture that remain central to Yoruba identity both within Nigeria and throughout the global diaspora.
Royal watchers will undoubtedly follow with interest how Princess Adewamiwa’s public role develops in the coming years, as she balances the unique heritage of her birth with the personal aspirations of a young woman coming of age in 2025.
