When news of the launch of “Ojaja Drinks” broke out recently, it got people talking. The interest wasn’t only because it’s a new soft drink brand. But because it’s only a little part of a much larger chain of the Ooni of Ife business empire.
Since he became king on December 7, 2015, the Ooni of Ife, His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II, has been more than just a traditional ruler. He’s also been at the centre of a network of business ventures under Ojaja Pan Africa Limited (Ojaja Group).
His business empire spans retail, real estate, education, hospitality, agriculture, entertainment, and more. While many call these business moves progressive, others narrow it down to being just for profit. However, to evaluate the impact and motive behind these business moves, it is important to highlight each of these businesses, how they work, their impact, and the vision behind them. 
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Ojaja Pan Africa Limited: The Home of the Ooni of Ife Business Empire
Ojaja Pan Africa Limited is a diversified corporate group with ventures in real estate, retail, agriculture, manufacturing, tourism, hospitality, mining, education, and more. The company says it is focused on economic development, community growth, and a Pan-African outlook. So, it uses local content and partnerships to build and scale throughout Nigeria and beyond.
This company is home to dozens of ventures, with some well underway and others still in development. What is common to all of them is a combination of traditional influence, business ambition, and attempts to create employment and economic activity across sectors and cities.
Ventures Under the Ooni of Ife Business Empire by Industry
Tourism and Hospitality Ventures
Created in 2013 and developed by Gran Imperio Resorts Ltd, this was one of the earliest businesses linked to the Ooni. This large resort on Ilado Island in Lagos catered to tourists and locals alike as a leisure destination. Although insider reports claim it has now been sold.
2. The Ojaja Grand Resort & Industrial Hub
In Ile-Ife, the Ooni also pushed for similar large-scale tourism hubs like the Ojaja Grand Resort & Industrial Hub. Commissioned in July 2021, this even larger resort is designed to attract visitors and generate economic activity in his home city. The resorts’ design and layout make it a mix of culture and leisure as part of local development in Ile-Ife, Osun State.
3. Ojaja Suites
Ojaja Suites by Perennia is a 4-star property located in Akure. The property is non-smoking and is located 35 km from Akure Forest Reserve.
Real Estate
4. The Ojaja Smart City Projects
To paint a picture of these projects, here’s a description of the Ojaja Park Smart City in Akure. It has a five-star luxury hotel, game center, themed children’s park, shopping mall, school, restaurants, event centers, and residential estates in one place. It’s a city where residents get leisure, education, and residential amenities.
After Akure, in partnership with Simpli Mi Homes in 2024, the Ooni began the creation of Ojaja Smart City in Awosun (Ile-Ife).
According to Simpli Mi Homes’ Chief Executive Officer/Managing Director, Dr Edna Ubebe, “An Ife indigene in the Diaspora can reconnect with their roots now to secure their spot in Ojaja Smart City.” This statement suggests that this project, like others in the Ooni of Ife business empire, has cultural significance as undertones to the business motive.
An insider source also confirms plans to launch another smart city in Ado-Ekiti by April 2026, while the construction of the Ibadan Smart City continues.
5. Ojaja Hostel
This is another real estate component, set up on the Obafemi Awolowo University campus on Thursday, October 10, 2024, to provide student accommodation.
Urban Development
6. Ojaja Mall
Retail and community hubs such as Ojaja Mall in Lagos add mixed-use commercial space with shopping, entertainment, and lodging. The mall’s developers handed over keys to early space owners, marking a milestone in the group’s real estate rollout. This mall in Ajah, Lagos, is perhaps one of the largest and most iconic malls in Lagos.
7. Ojaja More
This chain of retail outlets dealing in groceries and everyday goods started in Ile-Ife, Osun State, on Friday, September 16, 2022. Since then, it has expanded to Akure and Lagos, supporting local market access and small traders. Reports show that the scheme has supported over 350 MSMEs (micro and small businesses) with training and access to markets.
Education
8. Ojaja University
One of the group’s major statements in knowledge and human capital is Ojaja University, located in Ile-Ife and Ilorin. With full National Universities Commission accreditation secured, this university launched in December 2025.
It represents a long-term investment in education. The goal is to mould scholars with a mix of academic rigour and entrepreneurial focus.
Consumer and Entertainment Ventures
9. Ojaja Drinks
This is the newest in a line of consumer products aimed at competing in Nigeria’s beverage market. It’s a lineup of varieties of African beverages, including whisky, cola, vodka, bitters, etc. Ooni describes the launch of Ojaja drinks as the actualization of his “dream to build a powerful brand born from the soul of Africa.”
10. Ojaja Cinemas
The first cinemas was officially launched on October 17, 2024. It’s a part of the Ojaja Film and Talent City in Ile-Ife, done in partnership with Nile Cinemas.
The goal here is to roll out up to 1,000 cinema screens across Nigeria, starting in Ile-Ife, Akure, and Lagos. The strategy appears to bring entertainment infrastructure and youth employment opportunities.
For the Ooni, the move is a way to support creative industry growth and jobs for young Nigerians.
Agriculture, Technology and Retail Tech
11. Ojaja Cocoa
Within agriculture, Ojaja Cocoa has started with a large cocoa nursery in Ile-Ife. It’s meant to be the first phase of what’s pitched as one of Nigeria’s biggest cocoa-tree programmes.
12. Dmore
Tech and retail also have a seat in the portfolio of the Ooni of Ife business empire. It is a digital platform offering online shopping and payment solutions. This business is a digital pivot in an otherwise physical-world business lineup.
13. Ojaja AI Centre
Even within entertainment and technology infrastructure, there’s the Ojaja AI Centre located at Ogombo in Lagos. This move demonstrates a plan to engage youths in technology and innovation within the broader retail and mall ecosystem.
The Ooni noted that Lagos is the seventh state to host an Ojaja innovation hub, with plans to expand to all 36 states within five years.
Partnerships and Strategic Alliances
Aside from the expansion partnership for Ojaja Cinemas with Nile Media Entertainment Group, the Ooni of Ife has also gone into the following partnerships:
14. Adire Oodua Textile Hub in partnership with Olori Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi.
15. A 2018 partnership between GTDC Investment and the Ooni to boost youth employment and infrastructure development in Nigeria.
16. The Ooni of Ife also unveiled the Equity Specialist Hospital and Diagnostic Centre in Lekki, Lagos, in July 2024. As a part of the Equity Health Group, this move is to reduce foreign medical tourism by providing advanced, affordable, and personalised healthcare. Specifically, the focus is on immediate patient care over paperwork.
A Working Business Despite Criticism
Beyond the projects and brand launches, there are clear financial backings behind Ooni’s business expansion.
Recently, the Ojaja Pan Africa Limited redeemed its ₦9.1 billion commercial paper issuance that matured in November 2025 and February 2026. In simple terms, the Ojaja Group borrowed from investors and paid back on schedule.
This move is a sign of a working structure, liquidity, and investor confidence. For a conglomerate tied to a reigning monarch, it shows that something must be working right.
Still, the journey has not been without scrutiny. Investigative reports, including those by the Foundation for Investigative Journalism (FIJ), have linked Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi to the Gran Imperio Group and its Essential Homes real estate scheme.
The reports raised concerns about disputes and project delivery. These remain reported allegations, not court rulings. But they form part of the general public conversation around the Ooni of Ife business empire till today.
The Ooni of Ife Business Empire: What It All Means
Taken together, the Ooni’s business footprint is hard to ignore. His long list of businesses includes smart cities, universities, drinks, cinemas, cocoa farms, and retail chains. For supporters, this is development and job creation. But critics question scale, governance, and long-term sustainability.
Regardless of which side you’re on, the Ooni of Ife has changed what modern traditional leadership can be in Nigeria. He has extended beyond just cultural authority to being an active participant in the economy.
Whether this model proves visionary or controversial in the long run will depend on how these ventures endure, grow, and deliver impact over time.
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