The ancient town of Ijebu-Ode was awash with colour, culture and celebration as millions of sons and daughters of Ijebuland, alongside visitors from across Nigeria and the diaspora, gathered for the 2026 Ojude Oba Festival.
This year’s edition, themed “Ojude Oba 2026: Celebrating the Legacy of Oba Sikiru Adetona,” was particularly significant as it was the first festival held following the death of the revered Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.
Despite the absence of a reigning Awujale, the festival maintained its glamour and cultural significance, reaffirming its position as one of Africa’s leading cultural events and a major tourism attraction.
The celebration demonstrated that Ojude Oba has grown beyond an event centred on a monarch and remains a deeply rooted cultural institution that embodies the pride, unity and identity of the Ijebu people.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Ojude Oba Planning Committee, Chief Olu Okuboyejo, said the late monarch had clearly directed during his lifetime that the festival should never be suspended because of his passing or any vacancy on the throne.
According to him, Oba Adetona believed the festival represented a timeless cultural heritage that must continue to thrive regardless of changes within the traditional institution.
The festival, which began more than a century ago as a gathering where Muslim faithful paid homage to the Awujale after Eid celebrations, has evolved into a global cultural event celebrated by people of all faiths and backgrounds.
Originally established in appreciation of the religious freedom granted to early Muslim converts in Ijebuland, the event has expanded over the years to become a symbol of religious tolerance, communal harmony and cultural pride.
Today, Ojude Oba attracts tourists, investors and cultural enthusiasts from around the world, making it one of Nigeria’s most recognised cultural festivals.
This year’s celebration also served as a tribute to the enduring legacy of Oba Adetona, whose reign transformed the festival into an internationally acclaimed cultural brand.
Participants and speakers praised the late monarch for modernising the traditional institution, promoting cultural values and elevating the profile of Ijebuland both nationally and internationally.
A major highlight of the event was the parade of 93 Regberegbe age-grade groups, whose members appeared in coordinated traditional attire, displaying elegance, prestige and the rich cultural heritage of the Ijebu people.
The festival also featured the popular horse-riding procession by descendants of ancient Ijebu warlords. More than 25 Balogun and Eleshin families participated in the colourful display, paying homage to the Awujale Interregnum Council.
The equestrian parade, accompanied by traditional drumming, singing and chants, thrilled spectators and showcased the bravery, military history and aristocratic traditions of Ijebuland.
Observers noted that the successful staging of the festival despite the royal transition reflected the resilience of the Ijebu people and their commitment to preserving their cultural heritage.
Many argued that suspending the event because of the vacancy on the throne would have undermined decades of cultural preservation efforts and negatively impacted tourism and economic activities linked to the festival.
Beyond its cultural value, Ojude Oba has become a major economic driver for Ogun State, boosting hospitality, transportation, commerce, fashion and entertainment businesses.
Tourists and cultural enthusiasts described the festival as a unique blend of history, tradition, unity and modernity.
Speaking at the event, Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, described Ojude Oba as a celebration of history, culture, identity and unity. He said the festival continues to connect the Ijebu people with their heritage while inspiring younger generations to embrace their roots.
According to the governor, the 2026 edition carried special significance as it was the first festival following the passing of notable leaders and distinguished sons of Ijebuland whose contributions shaped the community’s cultural and institutional development.
Abiodun stated that despite the challenges and uncertainties surrounding the royal transition, the people had shown that their traditions remained strong and enduring.
He noted that Ojude Oba has grown from a local gathering into one of Africa’s most respected cultural festivals, attracting participants from diverse backgrounds, generations and faiths.
The governor commended community leaders and cultural custodians for preserving the festival over the years, stressing that it represents identity, continuity and collective pride.
He also highlighted the festival’s growing economic significance, describing it as an important platform for tourism development and economic empowerment.
Abiodun urged younger generations to preserve their cultural heritage while embracing innovation and development, noting that traditions must be protected and passed on to future generations.
Chief Okuboyejo, in his remarks, described the festival as a celebration of unity and continuity that allows sons and daughters of Ijebuland to reconnect with their roots.
He noted that while the 2026 edition was emotional because of the passing of Oba Adetona, it also reflected the enduring legacy of a monarch whose reign brought global recognition and honour to Ijebuland.
As the festival drew to a close, participants expressed confidence that Ojude Oba would continue to grow in stature and global relevance, serving as a cultural treasure for Nigeria and the world.
Among the dignitaries at the event were Ogun State Deputy Governor, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa; Minister of State for Health, Isiaq Kunle Salako; former Ogun State Governor, Olusegun Osoba; and Gbenga Daniel, among others.
The successful hosting of the 2026 Ojude Oba Festival once again reinforced its status as a vibrant symbol of culture, unity, religious tolerance and the enduring spirit of the Ijebu people.
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