The annual Ojude Oba festival has returned to Ijebu-Ode in Ogun State, southwest Nigeria, with its 2026 edition drawing crowds for a display of culture, glamour and unmatched elegance. From the synchronized rhythmic prance of majestic horses to a breathtaking showcase of luxury fabrics, this year's celebration set out to prove that tradition never goes out of style.
The edition carried a solemn weight, however. For the first time in over six decades, the festival grounds were filled without a reigning Awujale on the throne. Despite that absence, organizers and participants said the heartbeat of Ijebu tradition remained completely unbroken, and the celebration lost none of its luster.
With the throne vacant, a council of chiefs and a dynamic planning committee stepped up to curate the experience. Their effort ensured the continuity of an event that is deeply woven into Ijebu identity, allowing the festival to proceed in full despite the unusual circumstances.
The Ogun State Governor described the gathering as a bridge between generations. He stressed that, beyond tourism, the festival carries significant economic importance, and pledged that the state would continue to support such celebrations because they connect people with their roots.
For some, the occasion is also a matter of family heritage. One descendant expressed pride in the celebration, recalling that his great-grandfather started Ojude Oba, and noting that people now travel from all over the world to witness it.
Among the most striking sights were the Regberegbe, the city's elite age-grade peer groups, who did not come to play. Dressed in custom-woven shoki and other exquisite fabrics and accessorized with shining jewelry, each group sought to out-glam the others in a manner fit for global recognition.
The combination of color, pageantry and tradition on display underscored the festival's enduring appeal. Even in a year marked by the absence of a reigning monarch, Ojude Oba blended heritage with spectacle, reaffirming its place at the heart of Ijebu cultural life.