Quick Summary:
President Bola Tinubu joins thousands at the grand finale of the Eyo Festival in Lagos, marking the return of the iconic cultural parade after eight years and celebrating Lagos heritage and tourism.
President Bola Tinubu joined thousands of Lagos residents and visitors at the grand finale of the 2025 Eyo Festival (Adamu Orisha Play) on Saturday, December 27, 2025, held at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) in Lagos.
The event marked the return of the historic cultural parade after an eight-year hiatus, drawing massive crowds of locals, tourists, and Nigerians in the diaspora to Lagos Island.
Key Highlights of the Festival
Presidential Participation
Dressed in traditional white robes with a damask sash and a star-studded hat, President Tinubu carried the traditional opambata (staff) and joined the Eyo masqueraders in the colorful procession.
His participation symbolized national recognition of Lagos’ cultural heritage and the renewed commitment to preserving indigenous traditions.
Special Honorees
For the first time in the festival’s history, four distinguished Lagosians were honored simultaneously:
- Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji — the President’s late mother and former Iyaloja-General of Nigeria.
- Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson — first military governor of Lagos State.
- Alhaji Lateef Jakande — first civilian governor of Lagos State.
- Sir Michael Otedola — former civilian governor of Lagos State.
Processions and Rituals
The main event was preceded by the Ijade Opa Eyo on Tuesday, December 23, a symbolic ritual that heralded the full festival and invoked ancestral blessings for peace and prosperity.
Tourism and Cultural Significance
President Tinubu described the Eyo Festival as a “great rekindling of our culture”, emphasizing its potential to boost tourism and project Nigeria’s cultural identity globally.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting cultural industries as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda for national development.
Festival Atmosphere and Attendance
The 2025 edition coincided with the “Detty December” holiday season, attracting foreign visitors, diaspora Nigerians, and cultural enthusiasts from across the world.
The Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu, and other traditional leaders graced the occasion, reinforcing the festival’s spiritual and historical importance to the city’s identity.
