Ojude Oba 2026: Celebration of culture, elegance without a sitting Awujale

By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta

The ancient town of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, came alive in a dazzling display of culture, history and splendour as millions of sons and daughters of Ijebuland, alongside visitors from across Nigeria and the diaspora, gathered for the 2026 edition of the globally acclaimed Ojude Oba Festival.

This year’s celebration, themed “Ojude Oba 2026: Celebrating the Legacy of Oba Sikiru Adetona,” was particularly historic and emotional as it marked the first edition of the festival after the demise of the revered Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.

Despite the transition in the royal institution, the festival retained its grandeur, reaffirming its status as one of Africa’s foremost cultural festivals and a major tourism attraction even when the sacred stool of Awujale is yet to be occupied.

At this year’s celebration, organisers showed that Ojude Oba transcends personalities and remains a timeless cultural institution deeply rooted in the identity, pride and unity of the Ijebu nation.

The late monarch had made it abundantly clear during his lifetime that the festival must never be suspended because of his passing or any interregnum in the royal stool.

“Ojude Oba Festival transcends personalities; it is a timeless cultural heritage deeply rooted in the identity, pride and unity of the Ijebu nation. Our highly respected late Kabiyesi made it abundantly clear that Ojude Oba must never be suspended on account of his passing or during any interregnum. According to his noble conviction, the festival remains a sacred cultural institution that must continue to flourish for generations to come”, Chairman of the Ojude-Oba Planning Committee, Chief Olu Okuboyejo said.

The festival, which began over a century ago as a post-Eid homage by Muslim faithful to the Awujale in appreciation of religious freedom and peaceful coexistence in Ijebuland, has evolved into a global cultural phenomenon embraced by people of all faiths and backgrounds.

Today, Ojude Oba stands as a shining symbol of religious tolerance, communal harmony and cultural pride, attracting millions of tourists, cultural enthusiasts and investors from across the world.

Historical accounts indicate that the festival originated after the Awujale granted early Muslim converts in Ijebuland the freedom to practise Islam without discrimination. In appreciation, adherents of the faith paid annual homage to the monarch after Eid celebrations.

Over time, the event expanded beyond its Islamic roots to become an inclusive cultural gathering celebrated by Muslims, Christians, traditional worshippers and non-believers alike.

This year’s edition paid glowing tribute to the enduring legacy of Oba Adetona, whose transformative reign elevated Ojude Oba from a local cultural event to an internationally recognised brand.

“Throughout his illustrious reign, Oba Adetona broke barriers, demystified age-long jinxes, redefined the institution of monarchy, and repositioned the Ijebu nation on the global cultural and socio-political landscape,” one of the speakers remarked.

The colourful festival featured no fewer than 93 Regberegbe age-grade groups, each adorned in coordinated and resplendent traditional attire that reflected elegance, prestige and cultural sophistication.

The celebration also witnessed the famous equestrian parade by descendants of ancient Ijebu warlords, who paid homage to the Awujale Interregnum Council in a breathtaking display of martial heritage and aristocratic tradition.

No fewer than 25 Balogun and Eleshin families participated in the horse-riding procession, showcasing the bravery, military history and cultural heritage of the Ijebu people.

The horse-riding displays, accompanied by drumming, singing and chants, drew loud cheers from spectators who lined the streets and festival arena.

Observers noted that the successful hosting of the festival despite the transition on the throne demonstrated the resilience of the Ijebu cultural institution and the determination of the people to preserve their heritage. “History, tradition and the collective will of the Ijebu people have prevailed,” an elder at the event declared.

“Suspending the festival because of the royal transition would not only have undermined decades of cultural preservation and economic advancement, but would also have inflicted immeasurable loss on our people, our traditions, our tourism potential, our economy and our global cultural standing.”

Beyond its cultural significance, Ojude Oba has increasingly become a major economic and tourism driver for Ogun State and Nigeria at large, boosting hospitality, commerce, transportation, fashion and entertainment industries.

Cultural enthusiasts and tourists described the event as a unique blend of history, elegance, unity and modernity.

Speaking at the programme, the State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, described the 2026 Ojude Oba Festival as a celebration of history, culture, unity and identity, saying the globally acclaimed festival continues to connect the Ijebu people with their rich heritage while inspiring future generations.

He said the occasion carried special significance as it was the first Ojude Oba celebration after the transition of revered leaders and distinguished sons of Ijebuland whose contributions shaped the cultural and institutional development of the people.

The governor stated that despite challenges and uncertainties, the people had shown that “our traditions cannot be silenced and our heritage cannot be erased.” According to him, Ojude Oba has evolved beyond a local event into one of Africa’s most respected cultural gatherings, embraced by people of different faiths, generations and backgrounds.

He commended communities and cultural custodians for preserving the festival over the years, stressing that the celebration was not merely about entertainment but about “identity, continuity and collective pride.” Abiodun also paid tribute to past leaders whose lives, he said, were defined by courage, discipline, vision and selfless service to humanity.

Highlighting the economic importance of the festival, the governor said Ojude Oba had become a major platform for tourism and economic empowerment.

Abiodun urged young people to embrace and preserve the culture while pursuing innovation and development. “Heritage is not something we inherit only to admire. It is a sacred responsibility that must be preserved, protected and passed on stronger to future generations,” he said, while calling for unity, peaceful coexistence and mutual respect among all people regardless of faith or background.

In his remarks, Chairman of the Ojude-Oba Planning Committee, Chief Olu Okuboyejo, described the festival as a celebration of unity and continuity that provides an avenue for all sons and daughters of Ijebuland to reconnect with their roots and celebrate their identity.

He noted that this year’s edition was particularly emotional and historic as it marked the first Ojude-Oba celebration since the demise of Oba Sikiru Adetona, whose reign brought honour and global recognition to Ijebuland.

As the curtains fell on the 2026 edition, participants expressed optimism that the festival would continue to grow in global prominence, serving as a cultural gift from the Ijebu nation to Nigeria and the world.

Indeed, Ojude Oba remains alive, vibrant and firmly established as a unifying symbol of heritage, religious tolerance, pride and the collective destiny of the Ijebu people.

Some of the dignitaries present at the event were the Deputy Governor of Ogun State, Engr. Noimot Salako-Oyedele; Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hajia Hannatu Musa Musawa; Minister of State for Health, Dr. Isiaq Kunle Salako; former Governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Osoba; Senator Gbenga Daniel, among others.

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