Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has said that despite his Christian faith, he still believes in Ifa Orunmila.

On Sunday, January 26, 2025, Obasanjo declared that anyone who dismisses the significance of Ifa Orunmila must be a big fool.

The former president made this statement during an event in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where he hosted renowned female talking drummer, Olamuyiwa Aralola, popularly known as Ara, to celebrate her 50th birthday.

The gathering took place at the Green Legacy Hotel and Resort within the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL).

Obasanjo pointed out that there is a need to preserve the African cultural heritage, particularly Yoruba traditions, which he believes were in existence before Christianity and Islam.

“Culture is the totality of who we are. Unfortunately, we have relegated some aspects of our culture to the background—our food, our language, our dress, and so on.

“They even say Yoruba is vernacular. That is not right. Yoruba is Yoruba; it is authentic, and we must learn to celebrate what belongs to us because that’s the authentic.

“I am a Christian. I have been to two churches today, but whoever says Ifa Orunmila is nothing must be a bloody fool. I will say that person is a big fool because Orunmila has been with us before the advent of Christianity or Islam. Ifa Orunmila means Olorun lo mo eni to ma la—‘It is Heaven that knows who will be saved,’” he said.

Obasanjo commended Ara for breaking barriers in a male dominated field and describing her a cultural ambassador.

“For whatever reason, we must preserve our culture. Ara is a woman of culture; she is our cultural ambassador. She has lifted our culture and broken the taboo surrounding what was once believed to be exclusively for the male gender. She has not only excelled in this but is also nurturing young ones to preserve her legacy.

“When I was growing up, there were two things you would never imagine a woman doing: climbing a palm tree and playing the talking drum. Ara has broken the taboo, and she has done it very well.”

Obasanjo called on Nigerian youth to emulate Ara’s commitment to achieving success, saying, “Whatever good your hands find to do, do it well, and I will celebrate you. The lesson here is that nothing is unimportant in any area of human endeavour.”