The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, has been honoured at Middlesex University, London, in a ceremony that highlighted the growing intersection of cultural leadership and global enterprise.

The recognition, conferred during the UK-Africa Trade Expo’s “Time Cube” Dragon’s Den session, also saw the university’s Dean and Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Shân Wareing, present a Certificate of Appreciation to Olori Aderonke Ademiluyi-Ogunwusi.

The honour acknowledged the Ooni and the Ile-Ife Kingdom’s enduring influence on culture, enterprise and global dialogue.

Delivering a keynote address, Olori Aderonke urged students to build with purpose, honour their roots and “lift as they rise,” before joining a panel of judges in the Dragon’s Den-style pitch session.

She was joined by HRH Prince Kamari Ademiluyi, International Economic Adviser to the palace and CEO of the UK-Africa Trade Expo; Erelu Olajumoke Adebola, the Erelu of the Source; Veritas Societas Chair, Limara Haque; and Edd Williams of GEC Space Interplanetary Bridge.

The panel evaluated student-led ventures across sectors such as edtech and sustainable logistics, offering critiques alongside pathways to funding and market access.

The “Time Cube” format, conceived by Professor George Dafoulas of Middlesex University, replaced the conventional lecture setting with an immersive environment designed to integrate academic, royal and industry perspectives.

Organisers described the initiative as a platform for turning dialogue into action, with student founders pitching projects capable of evolving into partnerships through the UK-Africa Trade Expo corridor.

The Ooni’s recognition marked a milestone, being the first time a reigning Ooni’s leadership has received formal acknowledgement within a university-based Dragon’s Den framework.

It also laid the groundwork for potential collaboration between the Ile-Ife Kingdom, Ojaja University and Middlesex University, particularly in innovation, cultural exchange and education programmes.

Ooni Ogunwusi, who supported the initiative from its early stages, emphasised the importance of aligning tradition with forward-looking skills. His role at the event was conveyed through Olori Aderonke, reinforcing the relevance of heritage in shaping modern enterprise and policy conversations.

The event generated swift engagement, with several student teams exchanging contacts with panelists shortly after the session. University faculty also reported a notable increase in mentorship requests within 24 hours.

The palace delegation later toured Middlesex University’s laboratories, signalling prospects for follow-on projects.

Organisers said plans are underway to make the event an annual fixture, positioning it as a bridge between Nigerian cultural institutions and the UK’s entrepreneurial ecosystem