The Organising Committee of the 2026 Ojude Oba Festival has dismissed rumours suggesting that the annual cultural celebration would be suspended following the death of the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, insisting that the monarch had directed that the festival must continue regardless of any interregnum.
The committee made this known during a press briefing held at the Awujale Palace in Ijebu Ode ahead of the 2026 edition of the globally acclaimed festival themed, “Ojude Oba 2026: Celebrating the Legacy of Oba Sikiru Adetona.”
The event attracted members of the organising committee, sponsors, cultural stakeholders, and partners, many of whom also displayed their products and services during the briefing.
Addressing journalists, the festival coordinator, Professor Fassy Yusuf, said the clarification became necessary following widespread speculation and campaigns suggesting that the festival might not hold after the monarch’s passing.
According to him, the late Oba Adetona had unequivocally stated before his death that the Ojude Oba Festival should never be suspended under any circumstance.
Yusuf explained that the 2026 edition would not only celebrate the cultural heritage of the Ijebu people but also honour the remarkable legacy of the late monarch, whose 65-year reign brought significant social, economic, and cultural transformation to Ijebuland.
“The 2026 edition of Ojude Oba Festival is not only a celebration of culture and heritage, but also a solemn tribute to the longest-reigning monarch in the history of Ijebuland — a revered royal icon whose legacies remain indelible,” he said.
He condemned narratives such as “No Awujale, No Ojude Oba,” stressing that the festival represents a cultural institution deeply rooted in the identity and unity of the Ijebu people.
“The Ojude Oba Festival transcends individuals. It is deeply rooted in the identity, pride, and unity of the Ijebu people,” Yusuf stated.
He warned that suspending the festival because of the monarch’s demise would negatively affect tourism, commerce, cultural preservation, and the international reputation of Ijebuland.
Yusuf noted that the late Awujale strongly believed the festival should continue to flourish as a sacred cultural institution for generations to come.
“It is with great pride and confidence that we announce to the world that the 2026 Ojude Oba Festival shall hold with all its grandeur and splendour by the grace of Almighty God,” he added.
The coordinator described Oba Adetona as a visionary monarch whose reign witnessed unprecedented development across Ijebuland. He explained that although Ojude Oba began as an Islamic celebration, it has evolved into a unifying cultural event embraced by people of different religious and social backgrounds.
According to him, the over-100-year-old festival remains a strong symbol of religious tolerance, peaceful coexistence, and communal harmony in Nigeria.
Yusuf disclosed that the grand finale of the celebration, traditionally held on the third day after Eid-el-Kabir, attracts millions of visitors and participants from across Nigeria and the diaspora every year.
He highlighted major attractions of the festival, including the colourful displays by various age-grade groups known as Regberegbe, who appear in elaborate traditional attire.
The festival will also feature the famous horse-riding procession by descendants of ancient Ijebu warlords, regarded as one of the most captivating aspects of the celebration.
According to the committee, no fewer than 25 distinguished families of warlords and warrior lineages are expected to participate in the equestrian parade during the 2026 edition.
The committee explained that the horse riders would arrive at the festival arena in a ceremonial procession showcasing the discipline, bravery, and rich cultural heritage of the Ijebu people.
Beyond entertainment, Yusuf said the festival also serves as a platform for communal prayers, reflection, development initiatives, and family reunions.
He added that the annual event has become a major economic driver in Ijebuland, boosting commercial activities and increasing patronage for businesses before, during, and after the celebration.
The organisers further disclosed that Nigeria’s First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, has been invited as the Special Guest of Honour for the 2026 edition.
Also expected at the event are the Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun, his wife, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun, and the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa.
The committee recalled that previous editions of the festival had attracted prominent national figures, including President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, former President Olusegun Obasanjo, and businessman Aliko Dangote, among others.
