One of Nigeria’s most respected Yoruba artists, art historians, and social activists, Prof. Moyo Okediji, a professor at the University of Texas in Houston, USA, has reportedly had the launch of his latest book and a scheduled public lecture at Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Ile-Ife, canceled over security concerns following alleged threats by individuals and groups opposed to the event.
Letter of the book launch cancellation above.
According to information circulating among participants and supporters of the event, Prof. Okediji was scheduled to launch his new book, Ifá Tuntun: Sixteen Sacred Stanzas, and deliver a lecture titled “Revolution, Evolution, Resolution” on 16 July 2026 at the Institute of Cultural Studies, Obafemi Awolowo University.
Reports shared among organizers and attendees claim that the university decided to cancel the event after receiving warnings about possible disruptions. According to these reports, social media posts, telephone calls, and messages allegedly threatened to mobilize individuals to disrupt the program, raising concerns about the safety of invited guests, students, staff, and members of the public.
The controversy surrounding Ifá Tuntun has generated heated debate within some sections of the Ifá and Òrìṣà community. Critics of the publication have argued that the book challenges or departs from what they regard as the established ancestral corpus of the 256 Odù Ifá, describing it as an unacceptable reinterpretation of the ancient sacred tradition attributed to Òrúnmìlà. Several social media posts by individuals and self-described Ifá groups have called for opposition to the book launch.
Among the posts attracting attention is one reportedly published by Adekunle Adeiti, which states: “One man is about to attempt the greatest blasphemy in history in the name of academic research…” According to those following the controversy, the post was referring to Prof. Okediji’s forthcoming book, Ifá Tuntun: Sixteen Sacred Stanzas. Supporters of the professor argue that such language contributed to heightened tensions surrounding the event and may have encouraged opposition to the planned book launch and lecture. The author of the post has not publicly been shown to have called directly for violence, and any interpretation of the post as encouraging disruptive action remains a matter of allegation.
Supporters of Prof. Okediji have condemned the campaign against the event, arguing that scholarly research should be met with intellectual debate rather than intimidation. They maintain that universities exist to encourage academic inquiry and the free exchange of ideas, particularly on subjects relating to African philosophy, religion, history, and culture.
Some commentators have also noted that the individuals and groups criticizing the book are not officially affiliated with the International Council for Ifá Religion (ICIR), one of the recognized organizations representing practitioners of the traditional religion in Nigeria. These supporters argue that attempts to prevent an academic presentation through threats or intimidation undermine both academic freedom and the principles of open scholarly discourse.
The planned event was expected to bring together academics, researchers, students, traditional religion practitioners, and members of the wider community for discussions on Yoruba philosophy, Ifá studies, and African intellectual traditions.
Obafemi Awolowo University has officially issued a statement confirming the cancellation of the event. According to the university, the decision was taken after receiving security reports indicating potential threats to public safety. The statement cited concerns arising from social media posts, telephone calls, and other communications suggesting that individuals and groups were planning to disrupt the book launch and lecture. In the interest of protecting students, staff, invited guests, and members of the public, the university announced the cancellation of the event. A copy of the official cancellation notice has been made available.
If confirmed, the incident would raise important questions about academic freedom, freedom of expression, and the ability of Nigerian universities to host scholarly discussions on religion, culture, and indigenous knowledge systems without fear of intimidation or disruption.
Prof. Moyo Okediji is internationally recognized for his contributions to Yoruba art history, African visual culture, and intellectual scholarship. His latest work, Ifá Tuntun: Sixteen Sacred Stanzas, has attracted significant attention within both academic and traditional religious circles even before its official presentation.
Several National and internacional scholars have reacted to the attack on scholarly works , some have seen Nigéria as a delicate society where studies are no longer seen as objectives “Orisa Religion had never worked in line with Jihad, this is ridículos “ -Says Akeem , a Yoruba scholar said
