Ooni of Ife Unveils Ojaja Mall, Nigeria’s Largest AI-Powered Hub

LAGOS – The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, has launched Ojaja Mall in Ogombo, Ajah, Lagos, heralding it as Nigeria’s premier fully integrated AI-powered commercial hub constructed entirely with local materials and labor. ​ This expansive facility, spanning retail spaces, a boutique hotel, cinemas, leisure areas, and an advanced AI innovation center, opened its doors on November 30, 2025, drawing dignitaries and signaling a bold step in redefining urban commerce. ​ The monarch envisions replicating this model across major Nigerian cities to foster world-class shopping, empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs), and generate thousands of jobs for youth. 

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Project Highlights

Ojaja Mall integrates over 300 shops, a 40-room boutique hotel, three cinema halls including a VIP screen, kids’ play areas, lounges, and a cutting-edge AI center to drive technology adoption among young Nigerians. ​ Lagos State officials, including representatives of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, praised the development for enhancing the state’s GDP through hospitality and retail growth, noting its 22-hour power reliability and role in curbing travel to other areas for premium services. ​ All construction materials and equipment underscore a commitment to Nigerian manufacturing, positioning the mall as a “fortress of possibilities” for entrepreneurs and retailers. 

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Economic and Social Impact

The initiative builds on earlier Ojaja projects, like the 2022 OjajaMore retail chain in Ile-Ife and a May 2025 open house in Ajah, creating over 8,000 direct jobs and serving as a youth engagement hub in Lagos’ middle-class corridor. ​ Ooni Ojaja II emphasized that traditional leadership can propel economic transformation by prioritizing local production, urging youths to innovate independently while traditional rulers invest in community upliftment. ​ Residents anticipate reduced congestion on routes to Lekki or Victoria Island, with the mall boosting local commerce through events, discounts, and B2B opportunities. 

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This milestone reinforces Nigeria’s potential for self-reliant innovation, blending royal heritage with modern enterprise to inspire a new era of national pride and productivity.