Lagos State is preparing for a spectacular cultural display as the ancient Adamu Orisha Play, popularly known as the Eyo Festival, returns on Saturday, December 27, 2025. The revered ceremony will honour the memories of three towering figures in Lagos and Nigeria’s political history: Chief Abibatu Mogaji, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, and Sir Michael Otedola.
The announcement was formally delivered by the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty Oba Rilwan Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu, during a press briefing at his Iga Idunganran palace. Surrounded by his White Cap Chiefs and elders of Awe Adimu, the monarch emphasized that the festival is not merely an entertainment spectacle, but a sacred rite embedded deeply in Lagos’ identity.
A Celebration Rooted in Ancestral Honor
Speaking to journalists, Oba Akiolu explained that this year’s celebration will be staged in recognition of three late personalities whose legacies shaped Lagos:
Chief Abibatu Mogaji, the late mother of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, was a formidable market leader and the Iyaloja-General whose influence expanded commerce and women’s empowerment across the state.
Lateef Jakande, Nigeria’s former Minister of Works and Lagos’ most transformative governor, is remembered for people-centered governance that ushered in mass housing, public education, and landmark infrastructures.
Sir Michael Otedola, former governor of Lagos, contributed to the state’s modernization and political stability during Nigeria’s transition era.
“These are people who gave their lives to Lagos,” the Oba declared, stressing that honouring them through Eyo is both a spiritual duty and a cultural obligation.
Security, Discipline, and Respect for Tradition
The monarch issued a firm warning to masquerade carriers and festival participants, calling for discipline and respect for visitors.
> “Eyo is not an avenue to make money for any chief. It is our sacred heritage and must be treated with dignity, not an avenue for personal profit,” he said.
He further reassured residents and tourists that adequate security operations would be deployed before, during, and after the celebration. The festival will be restricted to the Lagos Island axis, with 100 official buses mobilized statewide to shuttle attendees to the procession ground at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS).
Understanding the Eyo Festival – Lagos’ Most Sacred Cultural Performance
Origins and Spiritual Role
At its core, the Eyo Festival is an ancestral rite linked to the traditional religious system of Lagos, especially the worship of the Orisha and the spiritual guardians of the island. Traditionally, it is performed to escort the spirits of departed kings, chiefs, and highly respected elders into the afterlife, ensuring harmony between the living and the ancestral realm.
The Masquerade: Eyo
The masqueraders, simply called Eyo, are instantly recognizable. Dressed in immaculate white robes (Aso Eyo) with veiled faces, each group wears a distinct colour-coded hat called Aga, representing its lineage or palace. Every Eyo carries a long ceremonial staff known as Opambata, which symbolizes authority and discipline. They do not harm spectators; instead, the staff is used to maintain order and uphold festival decorum.
The Procession
Festival day begins at dawn. The Eyo societies emerge from their palaces (Iga) and journey through the island’s ancient streets to the central shrine (Agodo). The procession is accompanied by chanted songs, praise poetry, drumming, and the collective rhythm of thousands of followers. For many, witnessing the sea of white-robed masquerades is one of Lagos’ most profound cultural experiences.
The Festival in Modern Times
Over the centuries, the Eyo celebration has maintained its spiritual foundation while adapting to Lagos’ modern identity. Today, it functions as:
• A cultural showcase for tourists and visitors
• A unifying event for indigenous families and communities
• A ceremonial spectacle commemorating special state occasions
Despite its contemporary popularity, the sacred rules remain unchanged: participants must not harass observers, and spectators must not obstruct or mock the Eyo.
A Festival Returning with Purpose
As Lagos prepares for December 27, 2025, the city expects a vibrant confluence of tradition, spirituality, art, and remembrance. The honoring of Chief Mogaji, Jakande, and Otedola positions this edition of Eyo not only as a cultural celebration, but as a collective moment to pay homage to those who shaped Lagos’ economic, political, and social evolution.
