2025 Ojude Oba Festival Celebrates Ijebu Pride and Yoruba Elegance

2025 Ojude Oba Festival Celebrates Ijebu Pride and Yoruba Elegance

The ancient city of Ijebu Ode in Ogun State was once again the epicenter of cultural splendor as the 2025 Ojude Oba Festival thrilled thousands with its signature fusion of heritage, style, and tradition.

Held annually on the third day after Eid-el-Kabir (Ileya), the Ojude Oba Festival is a deeply rooted celebration by the Ijebu people, showcasing not just their Muslim faith, but their enduring reverence for royalty, community, and identity.

The “King of Steeze,” Farooq Oreagba

This year’s festival was nothing short of spectacular. From elegant agbadas to shimmering geles, the festival grounds came alive with a dazzling display of Yoruba fashion—each group and family adorned in coordinated, custom-made traditional attire that spoke volumes of lineage, status, and pride.

A Tradition Born from Faith

The origins of Ojude Oba trace back to the 19th century, during the early spread of Islam across Ijebuland. Initially a modest gathering of Muslim converts paying homage to the Awujale—the traditional ruler of Ijebuland—the festival has evolved into a national cultural landmark, drawing attention from across Nigeria and beyond.

“Ojude Oba”, which means “The King’s Court”, has transcended its religious beginnings to become a celebration of collective identity, generational unity, and Yoruba excellence.

A Modern-Day Spectacle

Under the enduring leadership of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the current Awujale, the festival has flourished in both scale and spectacle. Held at the majestic Awujale Pavilion in Ijebu Ode, the event features age-grade parades (regberegbe), horse-riding nobles, traditional music, and symbolic tributes to the king.

The absence of the event in 2020 and 2021—due to the COVID-19 pandemic—only heightened anticipation in the years that followed. The 2025 edition reaffirmed Ojude Oba’s place as a cultural treasure and one of Nigeria’s most anticipated festivals.

More Than a Festival

Beyond the glamour, Ojude Oba is a living reminder of how culture, faith, and monarchy can harmoniously coexist. It is where history meets haute couture, where families gather under ancestral banners, and where young and old alike unite in celebration of their roots.

For newcomers, it’s an unforgettable experience. For Ijebu indigenes, it’s a proud homecoming. For everyone, it’s a testament to the power of tradition in a modern world.

Image: The “King of Steeze,” Farooq Oreagba | Photo Credit: Segun Odunayo