Ojude Oba 2025: A Festival of Royalty, Resilience, and Radiance

Every year, just days after Eid-el-Kabir, the heartbeat of Ijebu-Ode grows louder, not from city traffic or campaign rallies, but from the elegant pounding of horses, the chants of regberegbe age groups, the swish of fine agbadas, and the thunderous ovation that greets one of Nigeria’s most iconic cultural festivals — Ojude Oba. But the 2025 edition was unique, not just for its brilliance, but because of an unexpected absence , the revered monarch himself, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, Awujale of Ijebuland, was not physically present.

The 91-year-old king, known for his wisdom, charisma, and decades-long stewardship, was recently discharged from a Lagos hospital. While recuperating at home, he could not attend this year’s celebration. However, the show went on , not as a shadow of its former glory, but as a powerful tribute to the legacy he has nurtured for over 60 years. In his place, Olori Kemi Adetona (the Queen) stood graciously to receive guests, flanked by notable chiefs such as Olorogun Sunny Kuku, who ensured the palace maintained its royal dignity and ceremonial structure throughout the event.

Ojude Oba, meaning “The King’s Forecourt, dates back to 1892, when Chief Balogun Kuku, a prominent Ijebu warlord, embraced Islam during a time of deep Christian missionary influence. Refusing to denounce his wives as required by Christian doctrine, he turned to Islam and found both religious and cultural freedom. In gratitude to the Awujale for allowing that freedom, he and fellow Muslims began visiting the palace on the third day after Eid-el-Kabir to pay homage. What started as a small gesture of loyalty has since evolved into a globally celebrated festival of faith, fashion, unity, and heritage.

Despite the monarch’s absence in 2025, the festival soared with color and elegance. Over one million people were estimated to have attended, with participants and spectators flooding into Ijebu-Ode from Lagos, Abeokuta, Ibadan, the UK, US, and even Canada. Regberegbe groups, which represent different age brackets of Ijebu indigenes, paraded in breathtaking fashion, from royal blues to fiery reds and glimmering metallics. Their synchronized dances, powerful chants, and grand entrance processions became a moving tribute to their ancestry and to the monarch who inspired them.

But it wasn’t just cultural groups that turned heads , the 2025 edition had its fair share of celebrity and influencer glamour, all backed with verified appearances. Ibrahim Chatta, a respected Nollywood actor, rode in alongside the Balogun Adesoye family, drawing roars from the crowd. Lateef Adedimeji and Femi Branch also graced the event, dressed in resplendent Yoruba traditional attire. In a surprise move that delighted younger attendees, street-pop sensation Lil Kesh made a grand horseback entrance, merging urban identity with cultural respect.

The star that once again captured public imagination, however, was none other than Farooq Oreagba, the dapper businessman and cancer survivor whose poise and fashion sense made him an Ojude Oba icon in past years. This year, dressed in a richly tailored agbada and designer sunglasses, he rode his horse with class and quiet power, reminding everyone of the unshakable dignity of Yoruba identity.

Adding political weight to the festival was the presence of Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun, who arrived with his entourage and addressed the people warmly. He paid glowing tribute to the Awujale’s legacy and praised the resilience of Ijebuland for sustaining such a festival even in the monarch’s physical absence. Other dignitaries in attendance included former Governor Gbenga Daniel, political leaders, business moguls, and members of the diplomatic corps.

The economic impact of the event was equally historic. Hotels were fully booked days before the festival. Transport providers, fashion designers, tailors, makeup artists, and photographers made brisk business. Local eateries and artisans enjoyed record sales. The streets of Ijebu-Ode became a bustling hub of enterprise and celebration, once again showing that Ojude Oba is not just a cultural event, it’s a vital part of Nigeria’s creative and tourism economy.

Most importantly, Ojude Oba 2025 proved that a people’s culture doesn’t pause when their leader rests. Instead, it rises to honor him even more. Though Oba Adetona’s physical absence was deeply felt, the spirit of his leadership, one that values peace, unity, cultural preservation, and modern engagement, was very much alive in every drumbeat, every parade, and every chant that echoed through the palace grounds.

As the final horses rode out and the crowd slowly dispersed, one thing became clear: Ojude Oba is not just a festival , it is the beating heart of a people, and 2025 was a shining reminder of that truth.