Dapo Abiodun, Seyi Tinubu Steal the Spotlight at Ojude Oba Festival in Ijebu-Ode

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun and Seyi Tinubu were among the high-profile personalities who attended this year’s Ojude Oba Festival in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, as thousands gathered to celebrate one of Nigeria’s most iconic cultural events.

The festival, known for its rich display of Yoruba heritage, once again transformed Ijebu-Ode into a vibrant cultural hub, with attendees dressed in colourful agbadas, gele, beads, and traditional regalia. Horse-riding groups, age-grade societies, and cultural performers added to the spectacle, creating a celebration that blended tradition with grandeur.

Ojude Oba, held annually on the third day after Eid-el-Kabir, continues to stand as a major symbol of unity and cultural pride for the Ijebu people and attracts guests from across Nigeria and the diaspora.

This year’s edition carried a more emotional tone, being the first since the passing of the late Awujale, Oba Sikiru Adetona, whose 65-year reign left a lasting legacy on the festival and Ijebuland as a whole.

Opinion: Culture, Power, and Visibility

Events like Ojude Oba highlight how deeply culture and public life are now intertwined in Nigeria. When figures like Dapo Abiodun and Seyi Tinubu appear at such gatherings, it reflects more than attendance—it signals the continued relevance of tradition in modern political and social branding.

At the same time, the festival remains fundamentally a community celebration, rooted in identity rather than status. Its strength lies in the way it brings together everyday citizens, cultural custodians, and public figures in a shared space of heritage.

The challenge moving forward is ensuring that the cultural meaning of Ojude Oba remains central, even as it continues to attract increasing political and celebrity attention.