Archbishop Emeritus of the Methodist Church Nigeria (MCN) and Chairman of the Yoruba Unity Forum (YUF), Ayo Ladigbolu, has called on Yoruba elders to adopt collective leadership as a strategy for regional unity and development.

Ladigbolu made the appeal on the second day of the South-West Stakeholders Dialogue in Ondo, noting that it is no longer practical to rally the Yoruba people behind a single individual, as was done during the era of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, former premier of the Western Region.

He urged the Yoruba to develop a leadership model that aligns with contemporary realities.

“We all know we cannot recreate Awolowo or Ajasin,” Ladigbolu said, referring to other Yoruba icons such as Chief Adekunle Ajasin. “But we can create a collective leadership that is credible and capable of articulating Yoruba priorities.”

The cleric identified elder statesmen like Reuben Fasoranti, leader of Afenifere; Olu Falae, former Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF); and Bisi Akande, former governor of Osun State, as figures rooted in Yoruba culture and spirituality, who could lead the region’s renewal.

Ladigbolu highlighted the lack of cohesion among Yoruba individuals and groups as a major obstacle to progress, adding, “Yoruba are good individually and can achieve more if we work together.”

He urged participants at the dialogue to use the platform to revitalize the South-West and strengthen unity among its people.