The 2026 edition of the Ojude Oba Festival will be dedicated to honouring the legacy of the late Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the revered monarch of Ijebuland who passed away in July last year at the age of 91 after a remarkable 65-year reign.
Coordinator of the festival, Fassy Yusuf, disclosed this on Tuesday during a world press conference held at the Awujale Palace in Ijebu Ode.
He said this year’s celebration would serve as a tribute to the late monarch’s selfless service, visionary leadership and enduring contributions to the growth and cultural identity of the Ijebu people.
Yusuf also dismissed claims circulating on social media that the festival would not hold following the death of the Awujale. According to him, the late monarch had made it clear during his lifetime that the annual cultural event should continue uninterrupted, even after his passing.
He explained that the theme for this year’s edition, “Ojude Oba 2026: Celebrating the Legacy of Oba Sikiru Adetona,” was chosen to reflect the late king’s extraordinary impact on Ijebuland and his transformational role in redefining traditional leadership.
According to the coordinator, Oba Adetona’s reign was marked by courage, progressive leadership and a commitment to development that elevated the status of the traditional institution in Nigeria and beyond.
He said the monarch broke long-standing barriers, modernised aspects of the monarchy and brought global attention to Ijebu culture through his leadership.
Yusuf noted that the festival is not merely a cultural celebration but also a solemn remembrance of a ruler whose legacy remains deeply rooted in the history of the Ijebu nation.
He stressed that the festival transcends any individual and remains a timeless symbol of the people’s heritage, unity and identity.
The coordinator said halting the event because of the royal transition would have undermined decades of cultural preservation, tourism development and economic growth associated with the globally recognised festival.
He added that the late monarch himself insisted that the event must never be suspended during any interregnum, describing it as a sacred cultural institution that should endure for generations.
The grand finale of the 2026 festival is scheduled for May 29, two days after the celebration of Eid al-Adha.
This year’s event is expected to attract top dignitaries, including Oluremi Tinubu, Dapo Abiodun, his wife Bamidele Abiodun, and Hannatu Musa Musawa.
Organisers said the festival would feature the colourful participation of about 90 age-grade groups, known as Regberegbe, dressed in elaborate traditional attire that showcases the rich culture and creativity of the Ijebu people.
Also expected are 25 prominent warrior families, whose members will take part in the traditional horse-riding procession to pay homage to the Awujale, a major highlight of the festival.
The Ojude Oba festival traces its roots to the early days of Islam in Ijebuland, when Muslims gathered after Eid-el-Kabir to pay homage to the monarch in appreciation of the religious tolerance granted to them.
Over time, that annual gesture evolved into one of Nigeria’s most celebrated cultural festivals, attracting millions of visitors from across the country and abroad.
Today, Ojude Oba stands as a symbol of cultural pride, religious harmony and peaceful coexistence, reflecting the rich heritage of the Ijebu people and their enduring contribution to Nigeria’s cultural landscape.
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