OJÚDÉ ỌBA 2026 TO HOLD IN GRAND STYLE AS ORGANISERS UNVEIL THEME, LOGO

The Organising Committee of the annual Ojúdé Ọba Festival has officially announced that the 2026 edition of the globally celebrated cultural festival will hold in grand style, despite recent concerns surrounding the transition of the late Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, GCON.

This was disclosed during a World Press Conference held on Tuesday, May 19, 2026, at the Heritage Hall, Awujale Palace, Ijebu Ode, where members of the committee reaffirmed the commitment of the Ijebu people to preserving the rich cultural heritage and continuity of the festival.

Addressing journalists and stakeholders, the Committee stated that the Ojúdé Ọba Festival transcends personalities and remains a timeless cultural institution deeply rooted in the identity, pride, unity, and heritage of the Ijebu nation.

The committee noted that certain narratives circulating on traditional and social media suggesting that the festival could not continue after the demise of the late monarch were unfounded and contrary to the wishes of the revered king himself.

According to the organisers, the late Oba Adetona had clearly expressed during his lifetime that the festival must never be suspended because of his passage or any royal interregnum, describing Ojúdé Ọba as a sacred institution that must continue to flourish for generations to come.

Speaking on the significance of the festival, the committee highlighted that Ojúdé Ọba, which began as a gathering of Muslims paying homage to the Awujale after the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, has over the years evolved into one of Africa’s most respected cultural festivals embraced by people of all religions and backgrounds.

The organisers described the festival as a symbol of religious tolerance, peaceful coexistence, communal harmony, and cultural pride, adding that it continues to attract millions of participants, tourists, and dignitaries from across Nigeria and the diaspora.

The committee further announced that the grand finale of the 2026 edition of the festival is scheduled to hold on Friday, May 29, 2026, two days after the Eid-el-Adha celebration.

The theme for the 2026 edition was unveiled as:

“Ojúdé Ọba 2026: Celebrating the Legacy of Oba Sikiru Adetona.”

According to the organisers, the theme was carefully selected to honour the enduring legacies of the late monarch whose reign transformed and internationalised the Ojúdé Ọba Festival while repositioning Ijebuland on the global cultural map.

The committee praised Oba Adetona’s visionary leadership, courage, and commitment to the development of Ijebuland, noting that his impact on the traditional institution and cultural preservation would remain indelible for generations.

As part of the highlights of the 2026 celebration, about ninety Regberegbe age-grade groups are expected to participate in colourful parades showcasing rich cultural attire, music, and pageantry. Likewise, twenty-five Balogun and Eleshin warrior families will display their renowned equestrian performances in honour of their ancestral heritage and military exploits.

The organisers also revealed that the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, has been invited as the Special Guest of Honour for the festival. Other expected dignitaries include the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, members of the Federal Executive Council, traditional rulers, captains of industry, and prominent sons and daughters of Ijebuland.

The committee acknowledged the growing support from corporate organisations and government agencies partnering with the festival, including GLOBACOM, FCMB, Rite Foods, Adron Homes, Guinness Nigeria, Honeywell, Nestlé Maggi, Nigerian Breweries, Ogun State Government, and others.

On security and crowd management, the organisers assured residents and visitors that adequate arrangements have been put in place in collaboration with the Nigeria Police, Nigerian Army, Department of State Services, FRSC, TRACE, and other relevant agencies to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free celebration.

To entertain guests and participants, renowned Apala musicians Musiliu Haruna Ishola and Saheed Ligali-Mukaiba are billed to perform live during the festival, alongside other musical performances at designated overflow venues within Ijebu Ode.

The committee also appealed to all participants, Regberegbe groups, visitors, and residents to conduct themselves peacefully and responsibly throughout the festival period, stressing that activities capable of causing disorderliness or disrupting public peace would not be tolerated.

The organisers expressed appreciation to all stakeholders, sponsors, traditional institutions, religious bodies, security agencies, media organisations, and volunteers whose continuous support has sustained the festival as a globally recognised cultural brand.

They further called on the media to give the 2026 Ojúdé Ọba Festival extensive publicity and positive coverage in order to further project the cultural richness and international significance of the festival to the world.