Oyo Govt Seeks Royal Blessings for 2026 World Egungun Festival as Ekerin Olubadan Pledges Support

​IBADAN – The Oyo State Government has officially set the machinery in motion for the 2026 International Egungun Festival, securing the formal endorsement and royal blessings of the Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland, HRM Oba Adebayo Akande, MFR.

​Leading a delegation of management staff from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism on a courtesy visit to the monarch, the Commissioner, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, described the move as a critical step in the state’s preparation for the global cultural showcase. The visit served as an appreciative gesture for the monarch’s previous support during the 2025 edition while establishing a collaborative framework for the upcoming festival, specifically regarding media publicity and community mobilization.

​Dr. Olatunbosun disclosed that the third edition of the World Egungun Festival is scheduled to take place on May 1st and 2nd, 2026. The festivities will commence with an intellectual symposium organized in partnership with the Adayeba Culture-Tourism Foundation, the Sahara Centre, and the Institute of African Studies at the University of Ibadan. This will be followed by a grand finale at the Liberty Stadium in Ibadan, where Yoruba indigenes from across the globe are expected to celebrate the state’s vibrant ancestral heritage.

​Highlighting the international significance of the event, the Commissioner noted that UNESCO has shown a particular interest in the state’s community-based festivals. He emphasized that the Ministry, alongside the Ijo Oje Parapo Worldwide Welfare Association and other academic partners, remains committed to elevating the festival to a level of global recognition that mirrors the prestige of Yoruba civilization.

​In his response, Oba Adebayo Akande expressed his gratitude for the honour accorded to his throne and pledged his total commitment to the success of the 2026 edition. Quoting a traditional Yoruba proverb, the monarch likened his support to a mother embracing her child with open arms, offering prayers for a hitch-free celebration.

​The highlight of the visit was the presentation of an award to the monarch, naming him a 2025 World Egungun Festival Ambassador, accompanied by a formal report of the festival’s previous achievements. The government delegation included the Permanent Secretary, Mr. Rotimi Babalola, and the General Manager of the Council for Arts and Culture, Mr. Adekunle Agboola.