The 2025 Ojude Oba Festival, a spectacular showcase of culture, royalty, and fashion, unfolded in grand style in Ijebu Ode, Ogun State, on Sunday, June 8, 2025. This iconic annual event, meaning "The King’s Forecourt," draws thousands from across Nigeria and beyond, converging to celebrate the rich heritage of the Ijebu people and pay homage to their paramount ruler, the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba (Dr.) Sikiru Kayode Adetona. Held traditionally on the third day after Eid-el-Kabir, the festival is a vibrant testament to Yoruba traditions, community spirit, and enduring ancestral pride.

Dating back to the 19th century, the Ojude Oba Festival has deep historical roots, initially stemming from the Muslim community's gesture of gratitude to the Awujale for granting them the freedom to practice their faith. Over nearly two centuries, it has evolved into a unifying cultural phenomenon, transcending religious lines to embrace all Ijebu sons and daughters and well-wishers. It serves as a vital platform for showcasing Ijebu culture, Islamic heritage, and the remarkable religious tolerance that characterizes the land. The festival has become a symbol of unity, a significant tourist attraction for Ogun State, and a rallying point for the Ijebu diaspora to reconnect with their roots.

The 2025 festival lived up to its reputation as Nigeria’s biggest festival of "steeze" and dandiest exploration of royal couture. The streets of Ijebu Ode and the Ojude Oba Pavilion, also known as the "Glass House," buzzed with energy. The event featured dazzling parades by various age grades (Regberegbes), who appeared in resplendent, often uniform, traditional attire, showcasing their solidarity and respect for the throne. Intricately adorned horses and their skilled riders were a major highlight, performing graceful maneuvers and adding to the regal atmosphere. The air was filled with the sounds of traditional music, cultural dances, and ceremonial gun salutes, all underscoring the community’s deep pride in its heritage.

Fashion is undeniably a central element of Ojude Oba. Attendees, from dignitaries to everyday participants, graced the occasion in ornate traditional garments. Men donned elaborate Agbada ensembles, often crafted from rich local textiles like Aso Oke, Sanyan, Alaari, damask, lace, and cashmere, complete with traditional caps (fila). Women were equally radiant, showcasing stunning Iro and Buba outfits with elaborate headgears (gele skontolo), often bejeweled and complemented by luxurious accessories, from designer wristwatches to elegant purses. This display of sartorial elegance is a defining feature, with many using the festival as an opportunity to exhibit their finest traditional wear and personal style, often referred to admiringly as "steeze."

The 2025 festival saw the attendance of numerous distinguished guests. The host, Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, made a striking appearance in classic Yoruba regalia, extending warm congratulations to the Awujale and expressing delight with the event's organization. He emphasized the festival's role in showcasing cultural heritage, unity, and pride. Farooq Oreagba, who gained viral fame as "Mr. Steeze" at the 2024 festival for his impeccable style on horseback, returned to much anticipation. For 2025, he donned a beautiful brown aso-oke agbada and sokoto from Rhobes Official, accessorized with silver jewellery, a Cuban link chain, and a distinctive gold staff with a lion sceptre, once again capturing the attention of attendees and online audiences. The Honourable Minister of Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, also graced the event, elegantly adorned in traditional Yoruba attire. Her presence was lauded as a beautiful demonstration of unity in diversity. Nollywood was well-represented, with stars like Lateef Adedimeji and Femi Branch making notable appearances. Adedimeji stepped out in a rich brown agbada adorned with fur, flowing tassels, long beads, and a Yoruba hunter-inspired cap. Femi Branch’s attire featured a modern silhouette with exaggerated trousers and coral beads. Media personality Tomike Adeoye was also spotted, dazzling in an emerald green velvet outfit with shimmering gold accessories.

At its core, Ojude Oba is about paying homage to the Awujale, with various groups and communities assuring the monarch of their loyalty and support. The Ijebu people, renowned for their industry, entrepreneurship, and sophistication, use the festival as a grand homecoming and reunion. The festival's continued success and grandeur are supported by significant sponsorships. Globacom has been a main sponsor for 25 years, contributing with cultural shows, entertainment, customer rewards—including brand-new cars and other valuable prizes—and an "Evening with Glo" featuring renowned musicians like Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey Fabiyi and Musiliu Isola, held on Thursday, June 6, as a prelude to the main event. First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has also been a steadfast supporter for nearly two decades, reflecting the vision of its late founder, Otunba Olasubomi Balogun, who championed the role of culture in enterprise and community development. The Ogun State government, under Governor Dapo Abiodun, remains deeply committed to preserving and enhancing the festival, aiming to position it as a permanent fixture on the global tourism calendar.

The festival also serves as a platform for artistic expression. This year, Yusuf Dongo, an Ijebu Ode-born young sculptor, was set to showcase a metal horse sculpture, a three-year project paying tribute to the history, traditions, and ingenuity of the Ijebu people. Such contributions further enrich the cultural tapestry of Ojude Oba. The 2025 Ojude Oba Festival once again demonstrated why it is a unique and cherished event, a phenomenal expression of elegance, class, and cultural pride. It is more than just a festival; it is a living embodiment of the Ijebu spirit, a testament to their reverence for tradition, their unity, and their distinctive flair, ensuring its legacy continues to inspire future generations.