Professor Moyo Okediji has expressed deep concern over what he described as a disturbing wave of criminality, intimidation, and violence directed at scholars and intellectuals engaged in the study and development of Yorùbá indigenous religion.
According to Prof. Okediji, individuals opposed to his scheduled lecture and the launch of his book, Ifá Tuntun, allegedly threatened to invade the university campus and planned to smuggle firearms into the institution if the event went ahead. He said the reported security threats ultimately led to the cancellation of the lecture and book launch after the university received multiple warnings of possible violence.
Lamenting the situation, Prof. Okediji argued that disagreements over religious or intellectual ideas should never degenerate into criminal acts or threats against academic institutions. He emphasized that universities exist to promote free inquiry, research, debate, and the exchange of ideas—not fear, intimidation, or violence.
The incident has generated widespread discussion among academics, cultural practitioners, and advocates of freedom of expression, many of whom view the cancellation as a troubling example of how threats of violence can undermine academic freedom and discourage scholarly engagement with indigenous African knowledge systems.
Ancestral News has also learned that some elders within the Isese community reportedly submitted letters to the Institute of African Studies at Obafemi Awolowo University, urging the institution not to host the lecture and launch of Ifá Tuntun. The contents of those letters and the identities of their signatories have not been independently verified.
As of the time of this publication, Obafemi Awolowo University has not issued an official public statement confirming the alleged plans to smuggle firearms onto the campus or addressing the specific security allegations made by Prof. Moyo Okediji. However, the University did cancel the proposed lecture and the launch of the Ifá Tuntun book, citing reasons it considered important, although it has not publicly provided a detailed explanation for its decision.
The cancellation has generated widespread discussion within academic, cultural, and religious circles in Nigeria, with differing opinions emerging over the circumstances surrounding the event. While some have expressed concern over the reported security threats and the implications for academic freedom, others have supported the University’s decision as a precautionary measure aimed at maintaining peace and safeguarding lives and property.
Prof. Okediji, however, stated that the lecture and book launch have not been cancelled by him . He said a new venue and date will be announced in due course and added that Ifá Tuntun is currently available for purchase on Amazon.
Observers have also stressed that any alleged criminal acts or threats by individuals should not be interpreted as representing the broader Orisa or Ifá tradition, which has long emphasized wisdom, ethical conduct, dialogue, and the peaceful transmission of ancestral knowledge. The controversy has renewed calls for respectful intellectual engagement and the protection of scholars from intimidation, regardless of differing theological or philosophical perspectives.
Prof. Moyo Okediji is a Nigerian-American scholar, artist, curator, and professor whose academic work focuses on African art, Yoruba visual culture, indigenous knowledge systems, and the relationship between tradition and contemporary artistic expression. He is widely recognized for his research on Yoruba aesthetics, Ifá philosophy, and the intellectual contributions of African diasporic cultures.
Prof. Okediji has taught and conducted research in the fields of art history, African studies, and visual culture, contributing significantly to discussions on decolonial approaches to art and the preservation of African cultural heritage. His writings and creative works explore Yoruba cosmology, symbolism, spirituality, and the global impact of African artistic traditions.
He is the author of several publications, including works that examine Yoruba cultural identity and the intersections between art, history, and indigenous thought. Through his scholarship, teaching, and artistic practice, Prof. Okediji has become an important voice in contemporary African and diaspora studies.
