Ijebu-Ode aglow, buzzing with the Ojude-Oba festival despite the paramount ruler’s absence

…Abiodun, Okubadejo, and Kuku fill the vacuum with roller-coaster festivities and government machinery.

…Hoteliers, eateries, event planners, and fashion designers smile to banks.

…Globacom, FCMB, and Adron Homes shine as headline sponsors.

The big royal vacuum created by the demise of Oba Sikiru Adetona, the late Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland, set tongues wagging prior to the Ojude-Oba Festival that was held last week Friday, the third day of Eid-el-Kabir, popularly known as the Ileya Festival among Yorubas.

A very large number of tourists, well-wishers and non-Ijebu indigenes had been talking and doubting the possibility of this year’s Ojude-Oba Festival without the monarch on the throne. Some people who spoke with BusinessDay prior to the cultural celebration suggested that Ijebuland might not host the festival but would use the time to solemnly celebrate a life well spent of late Awujale.

Some people, including the diaspora Ijebu indigenes, told BusinessDay that “doing the Ojude-Oba Festival without the Awujale on the throne will be strange and didn’t happen before in this generation. ” I don’t think the entire Ijebuland will celebrate much during this year’s Ojude-Oba; we won’t do Ojude-Oba, but Eyin Oba,” which means there won’t be an Ojude-Oba but a solemn remembrance of the late Awujale, the indigene, who didn’t want his name mentioned, he said.

But, fortunately for the Ijebus and doubtful tourists and picnickers, the tables turned for the good. The Awujale Traditional Council of Chiefs, headed by Sunny Kuku, Reagent of Ijebuland, stepped in with a series of cultural activities; the Ogun State Government with government machinery; and, of course, the headline sponsors, including Globacom, FCMB and Adron Homes and Properties with socio-economic touches.

It was indeed a display and convergence of arrays of beautifully adorned men, women, youths, and cultural enthusiasts from all walks of life, who thronged the ancient town of Ijebu-Ode for the 2026 Ojude-Oba Festival, which has, in no small measure, impacted the socio-economic growth of the city and transformed Ijebu-Ode into a vibrant panorama of colour, glamour, heritage and glitz deeply rooted in culture and tradition.

The annual Ijebu cultural celebration came alive with spectacular horse-riding processions, richly embroidered attires, rhythmic traditional music and elegant displays by the Regberegbe Groups, reaffirming Ojude-Oba’s status as one of Africa’s most iconic cultural festivals fit to be recognised by UNESCO.

Visitors, tourists, dignitaries, and sons and daughters of Ijebuland from across Nigeria and the diaspora gathered to witness the colourful spectacle and glamorous scenery, which combined tradition, fashion, unity, and cultural pride in grand style.

BusinessDay gathered that individual and joint efforts of Ijebu sons and daughters in Governor Dapo Abiodun’s cabinet in the state played significantly indispensable roles, especially that of Dapo Okubadejo, Ogun State Commissioner for Finance and Chief Economic Adviser, who pulled all necessary strings before and during the festival to ensure its actualisation even without the Awujale on the throne.

Speaking on Ojude-Oba and the festivities, Okubadejo, who is the Otunba Tunwase of Ijebuland, said, “The strategic importance of the Ojude-Oba Festival cannot be overemphasised.” This is an age-long tradition and a very strong demonstration of our very cultural heritage in Ijebuland.

“This festival dates back several centuries, and the history of the festival is that it’s a day when indigenes pay homage to the Awujale and Paramount Ruler of Ijebuland. Unfortunately, today is the first time that we are hosting Ojude-Oba Festival after the demise of the Awujale of Ijebuland.

“As you can see, he is seriously missed, but the socio-cultural and economic significance of this festival is, first of all, a festival that unites all of Ijebuland. All the citizens, sons and daughters, will converge on Ijebu-Ode on the third day of Eid-el-Kabir to pay homage and rejoice with the Awujale as a demonstration of our culture.

“The economic significance of this is that it has put Ijebuland on the global cultural map. It has become a cultural destination for not only Ijebu people, but also for all lovers of history and culture all over the world. That is why the Federal Ministry of Culture and the Ogun State Ministry of Culture are here as part and parcel of the organisation of this event.

“The Regberegbe Group is the age-grade group that has been in existence for several decades; they do things together and wear the same costumes during the Ojude-Oba Festival. When you look at the culture and fashion, the fabrics, the Aso-Oke and all the other local materials that are used in the design of their costumes contribute to the local economy.

“In addition to that, the sewing and the tailoring of all these costumes actually start very early after one Ojude-Oba in preparation for the next one. So, when you look at the contribution to the local economy, the artisans that are involved in these costumes also earn a profitable living from the sales, the design and the tailoring of all of the costumes you see on display.

“In addition to that, you see foods and drinks; a lot of people also use the festival to showcase the traditional Ijebu cuisines. In Ijebuland, we have several cuisines. One of the most popular, arguably, is the one that is typically known among Ijebus as Ikokore. Ikokore cuisine is made with water yams and is specially prepared.

“A lot of food and drink sellers are also showcasing all of that. During this festival, the whole of Ijebu-Ode is an open party. Everywhere you go, every nook and cranny of Ijebu-Ode, especially around the Awujale’s Palace, becomes an open party where anybody, any visitor, can visit and have a decent lunch.

“In terms of music, you know that Ijebus are also renowned in the music industry. We have a lot of music stars who are of Ijebu origin. King Wasiu Ayinde Marshall is a proud Ijebu son, and many others as well. When you look at the music industry as well, you see quite a lot of economic fallout from the play, from the dance, from the cultural festival that goes around as well.

“In addition to that, there is an art and craft of Ijebuland that comes on display, and so you have a lot of traders in art and craft; they also use it as an opportunity to contribute to the economic livelihoods of most of the families that engage in this.

“We also have a lot of cultural sites, and at this period, it’s particularly known for where a lot of guests and visitors to Ijebuland during the Ojude-Oba Festival visit all these places, like Bilikisu Sungbo Place and the Alagemo Site. We have a museum right here.

“So, when all these attract visitors, it further propagates the knowledge and understanding of the Ijebu culture. So, when you look at all of these, it’s important that we continue to make it sustainable such that the gain of Ojude-Oba is not only retained within the land but is also to the benefit of the local people, and we can begin to organise a lot of activities around Ojude-Oba such that all year round it begins to put Ojude-Oba on a global map and visitors all over the world will continue to make it a date that they visit and enjoy the music, the food and the culture of Ijebu people.”

Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, who is also a prince from the Alaperu Royal Lineage in Ijebu-Remo, stood at the top of the 2026 Ojude-Oba Festival’s organisation, mobilising the full state government machinery.

Governor Abiodun described Ojude-Oba as a powerful symbol of peaceful co-existence, communal harmony and cultural sophistication, saying his administration had deliberately positioned the festival as a flagship of Ogun State’s tourism development agenda in order to harness its enormous cultural and economic potentials.

According to him, the state government is collaborating with critical stakeholders to further expand the festival’s global visibility while preserving the authentic heritage and traditions of the Ijebu people.

“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.

Governor Abiodun noted that the 2026 edition of the festival carried deep historical significance, as it was the first celebration since the passing of the revered Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.

He paid glowing tribute to the late monarch, describing him as an institution whose 65-year reign transformed traditional leadership and elevated Ijebuland culturally, socially and politically.

“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.

The governor said the late Awujale made it clear before his transition that nothing should hinder the celebration of Ojude-Oba, stressing that the festival must continue to thrive as a sacred cultural institution that unites generations.

Governor Abiodun, however, commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for standing with the people of Ijebuland during the transition period following the monarch’s demise, saying the President’s support helped sustain peace, continuity, and stability in the land.

The governor praised the organisers, the Regberegbe Groups, and the people of Ijebuland for preserving the rich cultural heritage of the kingdom and ensuring the successful hosting of the festival despite the transition period.

According to him, Ojude-Oba has evolved from a post-Eid homage-paying gathering into one of Africa’s most admired cultural festivals embraced by people of different faiths, backgrounds, and generations.

“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 that the festival reflected the philosophy of his 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, stressing that culture must continue to evolve without losing its essence.

Pa Olu Okuboyejo, Chairman of the Ojude-Oba Planning Committee, 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.

Also, the flagship brands, such as Globacom Nigeria, FCMB Group and Adron Homes and Properties, owned and controlled by three sons of Ijebuland, namely Mike Adenuga, the late Subomi Balogun, now represented by Ladi Balogun Group CEO, and Adetola Emmanuel-King, added needed spice to the whole festival. Their brands not only sponsored the festival but also shared in the frills and thrills of the 2026 Ojude-Oba Festival.

BusinessDay reports that among the dignitaries present at the event were Noimot Salako-Oyedele, Deputy Governor of Ogun State; Hannatu Musa Musawa,

Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy Isiaq Kunle Salako; Minister of State for Health Solomon Adeola; Ogun State APC Governorship Candidate Seyi Tinubu, President’s Son; former Governors of Ogun State Olusegun Osoba and Gbenga Daniel; traditional rulers; captains of industry; religious leaders; and other distinguished guests.