By Ebenezer Mabinuola
Ijebu-Ode was a city transformed on June 8, 2025, as more than a million people gathered for Ojude Oba – the annual post-Eid cultural festival that has become one of West Africa’s biggest celebrations of heritage.
The event, held three days after Eid al-Kabir, blended tradition, fashion, and politics in a dazzling display of Ijebu identity.
This year’s edition featured striking fashion statements, with attendees donning matching agbadas, geles, coral beads, and retro sunglasses. Age-grade groups (regberegbe) paraded through the streets in coordinated splendor, reaffirming communal bonds and loyalty to the Awujale, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, who, at 91, was represented by his wife due to health reasons. Equestrian displays added regal flair, recalling the festival’s warrior origins.
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, who drew attention in a gold-furred agbada, called Ojude Oba a “timeless celebration of heritage and economic dynamism,” emphasizing its potential to boost tourism and youth employment. He was joined by Minister of Arts and Culture Hannatu Musawa, who described the festival as a national model for culture-driven growth. Dignitaries, including Nollywood stars and former governors, also graced the occasion.
Hotels were booked out, businesses thrived, and the local economy surged, reinforcing Ojude Oba’s growing economic significance. The event also reignited calls for the creation of Ijebu State, with cultural pride fueling political aspirations.
More than a celebration, Ojude Oba 2025 projected Ijebuland’s culture onto a global stage — bold, vibrant, and full of promise.
