Organisers of the yearly popular Ojude Oba Festival have expressed that no fewer than 100 million people are expected to participate in the 2025 edition of the event.
The Coordinator of the Ojude Oba Festival Committee, Dr Fassy Yusuf, the festival was scheduled to be held on Sunday, in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun state, in honour of the Awujale of Ijebuland.
He noted that the festival, which has been on for over 100 years, “is expected to draw Ijebu sons and daughters from across the world, along with tourists and dignitaries eager to witness the vibrant celebration of culture, fashion, and tradition at the Utoro Centre in Ijebu-Ode.”
While speaking during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abeokuta, he said the estimated 100 million participants include approximately 200,000 people expected to converge at the main pavilion and the surrounding Utoro Centre.
“Additionally, between two and three million attendees are expected across Ijebu towns and other parts of Ogun.
“Besides the physical turnout, millions more will be watching online through various live streaming platforms globally,” he added.
The coordinator of the festival promised participants coming of a safe celebration and security provisions, saying, “the Nigerian Police, NSCDC, DSS, the military, Amotekun Corps, and the Vigilante Group of Nigeria, among others, will be fully deployed to prevent any breach of security.”
He added that the festival showcases our collective pride, unity, and cultural strength. We will not allow any hoodlums or miscreants to disrupt this landmark event.
He also expressed appreciation to corporate sponsors and stakeholders for their continuous support, noting that such partnerships reflected shared values of inclusiveness, cultural pride, and national development.
About Ojude Oba Festival
The Ojude Oba is a Yoruba festival held in Ijebu Ode, a town in Ogun State, Southwestern Nigeria.
It is held annually on the third day after Eid al-Kabir. It is a festival whereby different cultural age groups known as regberegbe parades at the front of the king’s palace on the third day of Eid al Kabir festival, popularly referred to as “Ileya” in Yoruba language.
Ojude Oba, which means king’s fore-court in Yoruba language is usually celebrated with pomp and pageantry by about 1,000,000 people from different parts of the world and Nigeria, especially those from Yoruba origin and most especially by people of Ijebu descent all over the world.
Ojude Oba is one of the most glamorous cultural and spiritual festivals in Ijebuland and in Ogun State in general. This is a celebration that has traditional, cultural, religious, social, and military significance. It has been celebrated for more than 100 years.
