To curb the rampant abuse of Ifá initiations and ensure due process, stakeholders at the Ifá Disciplinary and Reformation Summit have agreed that Ifá Priests/Diviners (Babalawos) must henceforth limit initiations to eight individuals per day.
The decision came during the summit, organized by the International Forum of Araba and Oluwo, held on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at the House of Chiefs, Secretariat, in Ibadan, Oyo State.
Critical stakeholders—including Arabas/Oluwos and other prominent leaders—voiced their views on the issue.
While some favoured two individuals per day and others suggested four or six, the Forum settled on eight.
His Eminence, Araba Àgbáyé/Olúìsèse Awodotun Owolabi Aworeni Makoranwale II, explained that the limit aims to address misconduct and restore integrity to this ancient Yoruba divination practice.
He noted the summit was convened to raise awareness, enforce discipline, and drive reforms amid concerns over actions tarnishing the reputation of Ifá practices.
The Araba and Oluisese of Ibadanland, Chief Ifalere Odegbemi Odegbola II, echoed these worries.
“There is growing concern that some so-called Babaláwos are engaging in actions that tarnish the image of genuine practitioners,” he said.
“Some conduct initiations for ten or eleven people in a day. We organized this Ifá Disciplinary and Reformation Summit in Ibadan to address it. Today, we all agreed on a limit of eight individuals per day.”
On the issue of Mr. Faleke Awurela, Araba Agbaye clarified that Mr. Awurela is no longer an Araba and is not a member of the International Forum of Araba and Oluwo.
“Mr. Faleke Awurela is the founder of Àpapọ̀ Odù. I knew him as Àràbà of Odomola, via Ẹ̀pẹ́, Lagos State, and he later told me he had resigned as Araba of Odomola and appointed another person.”
“He later claimed to be Araba of Ejinrin, but upon investigations, we discovered that he was just a diviner for Ejinrin town. We even gathered that he had approached the King of Ejinrin for an appointment letter as Araba, even telling the king it would attract good things for the town.”
“As of January 6, 2026, when members of International Forum of Araba and Oluwo held a meeting with him, he could not produce a letter of appointment as Araba. Members of the public should take note that Mr. Faleke Awurela is no longer an Araba and is not a member of the International Forum of Araba and Oluwo.”
He added: “Issues like commercial exploitation and false prophecies will also be tackled.”
The event drew Arabas/Oluwos (Chief Priests) and other senior Ifá practitioners from across Nigeria and beyond.