Ooni’s Wife Unveils N14bn L’Extinction Artwork to Revive Thorn Carving Tradition
Olori Ronke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi, wife of the Ooni of Ife, has unveiled a remarkable N14 billion artwork, L’Extinction (No to Extinction), as part of her efforts to revive the ancient thorn carving tradition. The unveiling took place at the Ooni’s Palace in Ile-Ife on Monday during the ongoing Aje Festival celebrations.
Created by artists Olapeju Twins and Olulaja Akeredolu, the artwork is carved from the endangered thorn tree, a species once abundant but now threatened by deforestation. Olori Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi emphasized the importance of preserving this unique art form, originally pioneered in the 1930s by renowned Nigerian artist Chief Justus Akeredolu from Owo, Ondo State.
“This is the most important piece of thorn carving in history because it is the first artistic carving that urges us to say ‘No to Extinction,’” she stated.
She compared Nigeria’s thorn carving tradition to Denmark’s Lego toy industry, noting that while Lego has grown into a multi-billion-dollar global brand, thorn carving has nearly vanished. The €93 million valuation (approximately N14.163 billion) of L’Extinction aims to elevate the status of this indigenous Nigerian art form.
Artist Olulaja Akeredolu expressed gratitude to Queen Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi for her dedication to promoting Nigeria’s cultural heritage. He described L’Extinction as not only a revival of thorn carving but also a significant step in cultural and environmental preservation.
“This artwork honors Yoruba artistic legacies while reinforcing their relevance and value. It is also eco-friendly, as trees are not cut down for thorn carvings—only their thorns are used,” Akeredolu explained.
Environmental advocate Olapeju Olayemi echoed the importance of preserving Nigeria’s artistic traditions and called for urgent action to safeguard the country’s cultural heritage.
