The organisers of the forthcoming 2026 edition of Ojude Oba Festival of the Ijebu people in Ogun State, a Southwestern state of Nigeria, have disclosed that the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, expressly instructed that the cultural celebration should not be suspended in the event of his death or during any interregnum period.
Oba Adetona joined his ancestors 13, July, 2025 at age 91 after an impactful 65 years reign on the throne. Efforts to install a successor – Awujale by the Ijebu – Ode kingmakers and the Fusengbuwa ruling house – the next in line to produce Awujale, have stalled following the suspension of the ongoing nomination and selection process.
The Ojude Oba Festival, usually held two days after the Eid-el-Kabir celebration, attracts thousands of tourists, cultural enthusiasts, and dignitaries from across Nigeria and beyond. The event features colourful parades by regberegbe age groups, horse-riding displays, traditional music, and fashion exhibitions.
However, speaking during a world press briefing at the Heritage Hall, Awujale Palace Ijebu – Ode, ahead of this year’s edition of the festival, on behalf of the Ojude Oba Festival Organising Committee, Professor Fassy Yusuf, said the revered monarch had, before his passing, emphasized the importance of sustaining the rich cultural heritage and unity the festival represents.
Yusuf said that Oba Adetona believed the Ojude Oba Festival had grown beyond a mere royal celebration into a globally recognized cultural event that promotes the history, traditions, and economic potential of Ijebuland.
Describing the legacies of Oba Adetona as timeless, unforgettable, and eternally cherished, Yusuf who is also the Vice Chairman(Olori – Ebi) of Fusengbuwa ruling house, said the 2026 festival christened “Celebrating the Legacy of Oba Adetona,” would be used to honour the late monarch.
He said, “Indeed, our highly respected late Kabiyesi himself made it abundantly clear that Ojude Oba must never be suspended on account of his passage or during any interregnum.
“According to his noble conviction, the festival remains a sacred cultural institution that must continue to flourish up to eternity. It is, therefore, with great pride, confidence and a deep sense of responsibility 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.
“The 2026 edition of Ojúdé Ọba Festival, therefore, serves not only as a celebration of culture and heritage, but also as a solemn tribute to the longest- reigning monarch in the history of Ijebuland — a revered royal icon whose legacies remain indelible and whose impact will continue to resonate across generations.”
He noted that preparations for the event were already in top gear before the monarch’s death and that consultations with traditional chiefs, age-grade groups, and relevant stakeholders reaffirmed the decision to proceed as planned.
He listed First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, governor Dapo Abiodun, his wife; Mrs Bamidele Abiodun, former President of Senate, David Mark, Senator Dickson Seriake among dignitaries expected to grace this year’s edition of Ojude Oba cultural festival.
According to him, residents and indigenes of Ijebuland have continued to pay glowing tributes to the late monarch, describing him as a visionary ruler whose reign brought remarkable development, peace, and global attention to the ancient kingdom.
He assured attendees that this year’s festival would also serve as a celebration of the late monarch’s enduring legacy and his lifelong commitment to the unity and progress of Ijebuland.
