One of the festival’s most anticipated moments is the Balogun horse parade, which features descendants of ancient warrior families riding majestically into the arena on horses adorned with colourful fabrics and traditional ornaments.
Senator Yayi, Governor Abiodun, Seyi Tinubu and other attendees at the 2026 Ojude Oba in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State on Friday, May 29, 2026. The 2026 Ojude Oba Festival arrived not merely as a celebration but as a moment of reflection, remembrance, and renewal.
In the ancient city of Ijebu-Ode, thousands of people from across Nigeria and the diaspora converged for what has become one of Africa’s most remarkable cultural spectacles. The atmosphere was electric. Vibrant colours filled the air, rhythmic drumming echoed through the town, horses paraded proudly before cheering crowds, and generations of Ijebu sons and daughters reunited in a celebration of heritage, identity and communal pride.
It was the first since the passing of the revered Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, who joined his ancestors in July 2025 after an extraordinary 65-year reign. The festival, therefore, became more than an annual tradition; it became a tribute to a monarch whose influence reshaped traditional leadership and projected Ijebuland onto the global stage.
Held on Friday, May 29, 2026, the event attracted dignitaries, celebrities, business leaders and tourists, including President Bola Tinubu’s son, Seyi Tinubu, Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun. Representing the Awujale, the Ogbeni Oja of Ijebuland, Chief Sonny Kuku, reflected on how far the festival has come.
“It is very gratifying for me that what we started is getting bigger and bigger and bigger,” he told Channels Television. His words captured the remarkable transformation of a festival that has grown beyond a ceremonial gathering into a cultural institution.
“Ojude Oba has opened the eyes of the Ijebu people to the fact that we need to develop more. It has also opened our eyes to social welfare. The essence of the festival is to pay homage to the Kabiyesi on the third day of the Ileya celebration. It is a uniting factor.
Christians, Muslims and traditional worshippers come together and pay homage to one person,” he added. In many ways, that spirit of unity remains the festival’s most enduring feature. Across faiths, generations and social classes, Ojude Oba continues to serve as a powerful expression of communal harmony and shared identity. Minister Musawa described Ojude Oba as one of Nigeria’s strongest cultural exports and a benchmark for cultural festivals across the country.
“Ojude Oba has become a global phenomenon, really the bastion of showcasing our culture. There is no better personification of expressing Nigerian culture, especially Yoruba culture.
“My hope is that this will become a template for how we continue to grow other cultures and festivals across Nigeria as the government works hard to build partnerships with different states so that each state can showcase its unique festivals. I hope that Ojude Oba will remain a staple for exporting our culture to the world,” she said. Governor Abiodun echoed similar sentiments, describing the event as a symbol of peaceful coexistence and cultural sophistication.
“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. “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,” he said.
Each year, Ojude Oba functions as a homecoming, drawing people back to their roots from cities and countries across the world. The Sobaloju of Egbaland described the celebration as a gathering that has matured into a permanent feature of Nigeria’s cultural calendar.
“I will implore other states and ethnic groups to emulate Ojude Oba. People come from all walks of life, from the United Kingdom, Canada and other parts of the world. Ijebu sons and daughters everywhere are here today,” he said.
“The economic importance is enormous. Billions of naira are brought into Ijebuland. To get a hotel room in Ijebu during this period, you often have to book four, five or six months ahead.
“Food vendors, transport operators, artisans and many others benefit. It has improved the economy of Ijebuland. I want to appeal to the Ijebu people to keep the flag flying,” he stated. The Bagbimo of Ijebu and long-time coordinator of the festival, Professor Adetokunboh Fassy, disclosed that efforts are underway to secure UNESCO recognition for Ojude Oba.
He described the festival as a symbol of unity, cultural pride and religious tolerance that continues to bring together Christians, Muslims and traditional worshippers. According to him, the celebration has evolved beyond its original purpose into a broader cultural event embraced across faiths and backgrounds, reflecting the inclusive nature of Ijebu society. Fashion designer Sewa Similara said the experience had altered her perception of Nigeria’s cultural richness.
“As a Gen Z, this has been a huge game-changer in the way we perceive Nigeria,” she said, noting that “our culture has depth that many of us do not fully understand. Coming to this beautiful experience is truly amazing. ” Her words reflected a broader sentiment among young attendees who increasingly see Ojude Oba as a bridge between modern life and traditional values.
Former House of Representatives aspirant for Ijebu-Ode Constituency, Adetunji Olugbesan of the Obaneye family group, also stressed the importance of engagement between government, local communities and cultural institutions. More than 40 groups grandly entered the festival arena, transforming the venue into a moving gallery of colour, elegance and family heritage. The Balogun Kuku, Josi Jonda family, Eleshi Kegberegbe, Agbongbadri Adebule, Omoba Sadiku Odedeji, Eleshi Omo Ajibike, Eleshin Oreagba and the Aregbesola family group were among those who participated.
One after another, they paid homage to the royal institution and greeted dignitaries, including Chief Kuku and Minister Musawa. Their coordinated attire and elaborate designs served as visual reminders of the pride and continuity that define Ijebu culture. Ojude Oba has long been a celebration of culture, but it has also evolved into one of Nigeria’s most influential fashion showcases. The 2026 edition was awash with emerald green, royal blue, deep purple and shimmering gold.
Participants appeared in meticulously tailored agbadas, luxurious lace fabrics, woven aso-oke and intricately tied gele headpieces. Coral beads, gold jewellery, embroidered caps, custom walking sticks and designer sunglasses completed the look, blending tradition with contemporary style. The glamour was heightened by the presence of celebrities and influencers, including actors Rotimi Salami and Jide Awobona, media personality Beauty Goddess, and socialite Farooq Oreagba. Among them, Oreagba once again captured public attention.
The socialite, who became an internet sensation following previous editions, rode into the arena on horseback wearing a crisp white agbada, a purple cap and his trademark sunglasses, drawing loud cheers from admirers. Descendants of ancient warrior families rode majestically into the arena on horses adorned with colourful fabrics and traditional ornaments. The riders displayed impressive horsemanship as ceremonial gunshots rang out across the venue.
Accompanied by energetic drumming and chants, the spectacle offered a vivid reminder of the history and traditions that continue to shape Ijebuland. Throughout the celebration, security personnel maintained a visible presence across Ijebu-Ode to ensure the safety of residents, tourists, dignitaries, and participants. By the close of the festival, Ojude Oba had once again demonstrated why it occupies a unique place in Nigeria’s cultural landscape.
It was a tribute to a departed monarch, a reunion for a global community, a showcase of fashion and tradition, and a powerful affirmation that heritage remains a living force capable of connecting the past, present and future.
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