May 30, 2026
By James Ogunnaike, Abeokuta
The ancient town of Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, came alive in a dazzling display of culture, history and splendour as millions of sons and daughters of Ijebuland, alongside visitors from across Nigeria and the diaspora, gathered for the 2026 edition of the globally acclaimed Ojude Oba Festival.
This year’s celebration, themed “Ojude Oba 2026: Celebrating the Legacy of Oba Sikiru Adetona,” was particularly historic and emotional as it marked the first edition of the festival after the demise of the revered Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona.
Despite the transition in the royal institution, the festival retained its grandeur, reaffirming its status as one of Africa’s foremost cultural festivals and a major tourism attraction even when the sacred stool of Awujale is yet to be occupied.
