By: Muyiwa Akande
I finally got to attend the famous Ojude Oba Festival in Ijebu Ode for the first time—and wow, what an experience! Big thanks to my company, SIFAX Group, one of the event sponsors, for making it happen.
I got into Ijebu Ode a day before the big event, and you could tell the city was ready to party.
Banners from sponsors and well-wishers were everywhere, especially near the Awujale’s palace, where everything was going down.
Booking a hotel was another story. I tried days before we arrived, but most hotels were already full.
The hype around this festival is real! We had to stay in Ilese-Ijebu, about 10 10-minute drive.
Later that day, we swung by the venue around 4pm to see what was happening and pick up our VIP passes. The place was already buzzing—sponsors setting up, vendors getting ready, media crews doing test runs, and content creators everywhere. Total pre-festival hustle and bustle.
Then came D-Day.
The entire area around the palace turned into one big carnival. Music was loud, vendors were everywhere, and brands and traders were ready to sell.
The traffic? A nightmare. People had to park far and walk. The police and traffic officers tried their best, but the crowd was just massive.
Once inside the main arena, it was packed. We got there around 9:30am and the place was already full – especially with all the different regberegbe age groups dressed in jaw-dropping aso ebi occupying almost every available space.
I must say, Ijebus are the kings of Owambe! Steeze is the appropriate description of these ikokore-eating people.
Everything was on full display—beautiful outfits, flashy jewelry, beaded caps, designer shades, stylish fans, gold chains, and plenty of glam. Total fashion show meets cultural parade.
Content creators and photographers were snapping away nonstop.
We had VIP passes, so we headed that way. Easy to get in—just show your wristband. But in the middle of handing the wristbands out to my team, I dropped my phone without realizing it.
Luckily, a kind policewoman found it and answered when a colleague called my my number. Shout-out to her!
Inside the VIP area, there were no seats left.
People were sitting on the floor or just standing. I ended up on my feet for five hours straight, but honestly, the show was so captivating I barely noticed.
From the regberegbe age groups paying respect to the king to the majestic horse displays—it was nonstop action.
I stepped out for some fresh air and lost my prime viewing spot upon my return to the arena. But it was all good.
The sponsors showed up too—banners everywhere, free products, gifts—you could feel their presence.
By the time I was leaving, my ankles were screaming, but I still managed to make it to the car.
Ojude Oba is getting bigger every year.
The current venue can no longer handle the crowd. A lot of younger people I spoke with think it should move to the Ijebu Ode Stadium, but the elders believe it should stay close to the palace to preserve its cultural sanctity.
It’s a clash of culture – tradition vs growth.
But if this festival wants to go truly global and bring in even more tourists (and money!) in the future, the organizers need to seriously think about expanding or relocating.
Anyway, it was a time well spent. What a festival
