Last Surviving Child of 48th Ooni of Ife, Princess Rafatu Awofisayo, Dies at 102

Akahi News learnt that the last surviving child of the 48th Ooni of Ife, Alhaja (Princess) Rafatu Ademinure Awofisayo (née Ademiluyi), has passed away at the remarkable age of 102. Her death, which occurred peacefully in early April 2026, marks the symbolic close of a generational bridge between contemporary Ife and its early 20th-century monarchy.

Princess Awofisayo was a daughter of Oba Ademiluyi Ajagun Lawarikan I, who reigned as Ooni of Ife from 1910 until 24 June 1930. Born into the Otutu Royal Compound of the Lafogido Ruling House in Ile-Ife, she was the last direct link to a monarch whose reign remains a notable period in the history of the ancient town.

When a person lives for 102 years, they do not merely exist. They witness history. They carry memories that no textbook can capture. And when they finally depart, they take an entire era with them.

A Life of Faith, Resilience and Cultural Preservation

Akahi News gathered that Princess Awofisayo began her education at the Salvation Army Elementary School in Ile-Ife and later attended Saint Paul’s Anglican Church Elementary School in Aiyegbaju, Olopo, following her father’s death in 1930. Raised by her mother, Olori Elizabeth Odunlade Ige Ademiluyi, she developed a strong work ethic early in life, engaging in trading activities involving mats, kolanuts and palm oil.

In 1942, she married the late Alhaji Jimoh Elutide Awofisayo, a farmer and cocoa merchant from Ilode, Ile-Ife. Over the years, she rose to prominence within the Muslim community in Ifeland, holding several titles, including Iya Adinni of Ifeland—her most prominent role.

It was alleged that her death has drawn tributes from the Ooni of Ife, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), Muslim organisations, and associates who described her as a symbol of faith, resilience and cultural preservation. She was not just a princess by birth. She was a leader in her own right—a woman who built bridges between faiths, generations, and communities.

Ooni of Ife: ‘The End of a Remarkable Era’

Reacting to her death, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, described her passing as “the end of a remarkable era.” In a statement issued on Wednesday, 8 April 2026, through the Palace Director of Media and Public Affairs, Moses Olafare, the monarch praised her for upholding her father’s legacy and for her contributions to cultural and religious harmony.

“Mama was more than a royal figure; she was a spiritual beacon and a bridge between generations, whose life reflected divine grace and purpose,” the Ooni said, urging the people of Ife to honour her memory through unity, service and faith.

Similarly, the Muslim Ummah of South West Nigeria (MUSWEN), led by its President, Rasaki Oladejo, and Executive Secretary, Wole Abbas, described her as a “beacon of faith, resilience, and service.” The organisation commended her lifelong commitment to the propagation of Islam and her role in strengthening the Muslim community in Ile-Ife and beyond.

Akahi News had earlier reported on the passing of other royal figures in Ifeland. But the death of Princess Awofisayo carries a unique weight. She was not just any princess. She was the last of her generation. The children of Oba Ademiluyi Ajagun Lawarikan I have now all joined their father. The direct living memory of his reign has now faded into history.

It is not a child’s play to live for over a century. Princess Awofisayo saw the world change in ways that are almost unimaginable. She was born under British colonial rule. She lived through Nigeria’s independence. She witnessed civil war, military coups, the return to democracy, and the digital age. Through it all, she remained rooted in her faith and her culture.

Princess Awofisayo is survived by six children as well as numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family members. Funeral rites are yet to be officially announced.

For the people of Ile-Ife, her passing is a moment of collective grief. But it is also a moment of gratitude. A woman of royal blood lived for 102 years, served her community, upheld her faith, and died peacefully. That is not a tragedy. That is a blessing.

The Ooni has called on the people to honour her memory through unity, service and faith. That is perhaps the greatest tribute any descendant can offer—not just tears, but a commitment to live by the values she embodied.

Adieu, Princess Rafatu Ademinure Awofisayo. You were a bridge between centuries. Now that bridge has been crossed. May your soul rest in perfect peace.

Key Summary Box

Who passed away: Alhaja (Princess) Rafatu Ademinure Awofisayo (née Ademiluyi), the last surviving child of the 48th Ooni of Ife, Oba Ademiluyi Ajagun Lawarikan I.
Age: 102 years old.
Date of death: Early April 2026. She died peacefully, according to family sources.
Her legacy: She was a prominent Muslim leader, holding the title of Iya Adinni of Ifeland. She was also a trader, a mother, and a cultural preservationist.
Ooni’s reaction: Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi described her passing as “the end of a remarkable era” and called her “a spiritual beacon and a bridge between generations.”
Why it matters to Nigerians: Her death symbolically closes the generational link between contemporary Ife and the early 20th-century monarchy. She was the last living child of a king who reigned over a century ago.
Bottom line: A 102-year-old princess has gone home. She lived through colonial rule, independence, and the modern era. Ile-Ife has lost a matriarch. May her memory be a blessing.