Ijebu-Ode exploded into a kaleidoscope of colour and culture on Friday, May 29 as thousands of beautifully adorned men, women, and youth gathered for the highly anticipated 2026 Ojude Oba Festival. The ancient town was instantly transformed into Africa’s ultimate runway of heritage, style, and prestige.
The energy was electric, featuring jaw-dropping horse-riding displays, richly embroidered traditional attire, and captivating choreography by the famous Regberegbe groups. The epochal event once again proved why Ojude Oba remains a global symbol of cultural pride.
Dignitaries, global tourists, and Ijebu descendants from across Nigeria and the diaspora converged to witness the colorful spectacle, which seamlessly blended tradition, high fashion, and cultural pride.
Delivering his address, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, lauded the festival as a powerful symbol of peaceful coexistence, communal harmony, and cultural sophistication.
Governor Abiodun confirmed his administration is using the festival as a primary catalyst to supercharge Ogun State’s tourism and economic sectors.
By collaborating with strategic partners, the state aims to maximize Ojude Oba’s international reach while safeguarding the proud, centuries-old traditions of the Ijebu nation.
“We are building a state that honours its heritage because culture is not only our identity, but also a source of social cohesion and economic opportunity,” the governor said.
“This is why we have positioned Ojude-Oba as a flagship within our tourism development agenda. Today, the economic impact of the festival is visible everywhere as hotels are fully occupied, businesses are flourishing, artisans are engaged, and our youths are being productively empowered.”
This year’s festival marks a deeply emotional milestone.
He highlighted that the 2026 showcase stands as a historic first since the transition of the iconic Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.
Honouring his memory, Abiodun celebrated the late king as a royal institution whose historic 65-year reign fundamentally reshaped traditional governance and put Ijebuland on the global map.
“This year’s Ojude-Oba Festival carries profound significance. It is the first celebration since the glorious transition of our revered monarch, Oba Sikiru Adetona, whose remarkable reign shaped and transformed the institution of traditional rulership in Nigeria,” he stated.
According to the Governor, the late monarch left a strict directive before his passing: Ojude Oba must never stop. Instead, it must continue to thrive as a sacred pillar of identity that bridges generations.
Expressing deep gratitude, Abiodun praised President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his solid solidarity with Ijebuland during the transition period, stating that the presidency’s intervention anchored the region’s peace and stability.
Extending his thoughts beyond the festivities, Abiodun called for national solidarity and prayers for families affected by the tragic waves of banditry and violence.
Turning to the event’s success, the Governor gave a resounding applause to the planning committee, the Regberegbe age grades, and the citizens of Ijebuland for fiercely preserving their historic identity and pulling off a world-class celebration despite the transition.
He noted that what began as a simple post-Eid homage has blossomed into one of Africa’s most iconic cultural fixtures—transcending religious and generational lines to unite people from every walk of life.
“Today, Ojude-Oba stands as a symbol of unity, honour, continuity, and cultural pride, where visitors from across the world gather to witness the splendour of our traditions, the elegance of our attire, and the discipline of the age-grade groups,” he added.
Governor Abiodun further stated, “The festival reflects the philosophy of our administration’s ‘Building Our Future Together’ agenda through strategic investments in infrastructure, healthcare, education, youth empowerment, and tourism development.”
He urged the younger generation to preserve and promote the rich cultural heritage handed down by their forebears, emphasizing that culture must continue to evolve without losing its unique essence.
Ojude Oba Planning Committee Chairman, Chief Olu Okubadejo, framed the festival as a beacon of unity and generational continuity that brings the global Ijebu family back to their roots.
Highlighting the festival’s solemn tone, Okubadejo stated that the 2026 edition is uniquely historic, as the community navigates its first celebration without the late Oba Sikiru Adetona, the revered king who put Ijebu tradition on the world map.
A high-powered delegation of dignitaries graced the 2026 arena, led by Ogun Deputy Governor Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Ministers Hannatu Musa Musawa and Dr. Iziaq Adekunle Salako, and former Governor Chief Olusegun Osoba, alongside elite traditional and business leaders.
