The Agenda for Yoruba Unity, Reconciliation and Integration (AYURI) has announced plans to convene the maiden Yoruba Renaissance and Education Summit (YORES 2026), a pan-Yoruba gathering aimed at promoting unity, cultural renaissance and educational advancement across the Yoruba-speaking states.
The summit, scheduled for September 24, 2026, at the National Museum of Unity, Aleshinloye, Ibadan, will commemorate the 140th anniversary of the Kiriji Peace Treaty of September 23, 1886, widely regarded as a historic milestone in Yoruba reconciliation and unity.
AYURI disclosed in a statement by it’s Director-General, Bishop (Prince) Ademola George Adegbolagun that the summit is being organised in collaboration with several Yoruba socio-cultural organisations and stakeholders, including Afenifere, the Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF), the Council of Yoruba Elders (CYE), the Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE), Oodua Redemption Alliance (ORA), Apapo Omo Oodua, Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC), Agbekoya, The Renew Group (TRG), the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), MUSWEN and others.
According to the organisers, the summit, themed “ÀBO KAN, ORÍ KAN. ÒRÚLÉ KAN, ẸBÍ KAN: 140 Years After Kiriji – One Roof, One Family for Culture, Language and Learning,” is designed to strengthen Yoruba unity while addressing declining educational standards, increasing numbers of out-of-school children and the growing disconnect between young people and Yoruba language and culture.
AYURI said participants would also visit Imesi-Ile, the site where the historic Kiriji Peace Treaty was signed, and adopt the proposed Yoruba Accord 2026 on Renaissance and Education Protection.
The organisation noted that expected outcomes of the summit include the establishment of a Yoruba Education Protection Committee and the presentation of a communiqué to the governors of the South-West states as well as the Federal Ministry of Education.
As part of preparations for the event, AYURI announced that a special investiture and inauguration ceremony for the YORES 2026 Planning Committee will hold on Thursday, July 9, 2026, at the MUSWEN Hall, Iwo Road, Ibadan.
The event will also feature the investiture of the Presiding Officer and a media engagement session to brief stakeholders and prospective partners on the objectives and implementation plans for the summit.
According to the statement, Chief (Dr.) Popoola B.A. Ade-Banjo, President-General Elect of Apapo Omo Oodua, will preside over the inauguration, while the Director-General of AYURI, Bishop (Prince) Ademola George Adegbolagun, will serve as convener. The Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun, is expected to host the event.
The organisers said the summit would be led by prominent traditional rulers and dignitaries, including the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Akeem Abimbola Owoade I, the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, and the Governor of Oyo State, Engr. Seyi Makinde, who is expected to serve as Chief Host.
Retired Methodist Archbishop and Chairman of the Yoruba Unity Forum, Most Rev. Ayo Sanda Ladigbolu, will chair the summit, while former Nigerian Ambassador to the Netherlands, Amb. Yemi Farombi, and veteran journalist Akogun Tola Adeniyi are expected to deliver keynote addresses.
AYURI also appealed to media organisations, including Oodua News, to partner with the organisers in providing coverage, documentation and advocacy ahead of the summit.
The organisers stated that the summit would feature keynote presentations, panel discussions on education, language, culture, science and technology, the signing of the Yoruba Accord 2026, and a cultural exhibition marking Kiriji 1886–2026.
AYURI reaffirmed that the summit would remain non-partisan and said it would bear the direct costs of organising the event while recognising supporting partners for their contributions to the initiative.
