Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State came alive today as thousands of residents and visitors gathered for the 2026 Ojude Oba Festival, one of Nigeria’s most colourful and widely celebrated cultural events.

The annual festival, which traditionally holds on the third day after Eid al-Adha, is a major cultural homecoming for the Ijebu people, who come together to pay homage to the Awujale of Ijebuland while showcasing rich traditions, fashion, and community pride. 

This year’s edition is particularly significant as it follows renewed assurances from organisers that the festival remains a permanent cultural institution, deeply rooted in identity and unity across Ijebuland.

Ahead of the celebration, authorities also strengthened security across Ijebu-Ode and surrounding communities. The Ogun State Police Command deployed over 2,500 personnel and operational assets to ensure a peaceful and hitch-free festival.

The festival features vibrant displays from age-grade groups known as regberegbe, who parade in colourful attire, dance performances, horse-riding displays from traditional warrior families, and cultural showcases that attract large crowds from within and outside Nigeria.

Ojude Oba, which translates to “the king’s forecourt,” remains one of the most important cultural gatherings in Yorubaland, drawing attention for its blend of heritage, fashion, and royalty, while also boosting tourism and local economic activity in Ogun State.