President Bola Tinubu immersed himself in the vibrant traditions of his hometown Saturday, donning the iconic white robes of the Eyo masquerade to attend the grand finale of the 2025 Eyo Festival at Tafawa Balewa Square.
Clad in a flowing white robe, a damask sash across his shoulder, and a star-emblazoned hat, the President joined thousands of revelers, gripping the traditional long staff known as an opambata. The event marked the festival’s return after an eight-year hiatus, its first outing since 2017, and paid tribute to four Lagos legends: the state’s first military administrator, Mobolaji Johnson; pioneering civilian governor Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande; former governor Sir Michael Otedola; and Alhaja Abibat Mogaji, a former Iyaloja and mother of the current President.
Dating back to 1854, the Eyo Festival—also called the Adamu Orisha Play—unfolds as a spectacular carnival of Yoruba heritage, with families parading in regalia, dances, chants, and processions that symbolize unity, purity, and peace. This year’s edition kicked off a week earlier on December 21, when organizers paid homage at Tinubu’s Lagos residence, presenting the festival staff.
In a message to the organisers, President Tinubu hailed the event as “a great rekindling of our culture,” praising it as a “vibrant expression of the rich traditions of Lagos” that celebrates the achievements of distinguished Nigerians. He spotlighted the honorees as “leaders and builders whose visionary leadership, influence, and diligence in public service helped nurture Lagos State to both national and international prominence.”
Tinubu also tied the festival to Lagos’s bustling “Detty December” season, when diaspora Nigerians and foreign tourists flock to the city. “It is a reminder that our culture and traditions hold great tourism potential,” he said. “The glamour of white-robed figures parading our streets… sends a resounding message about our identity and our country.” He urged peaceful celebrations and the safety of all participants.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, in his welcome address, framed the occasion as a historic homecoming for Tinubu. “What we’re celebrating here today is the first of its kind,” Sanwo-Olu said. “As our son, our father, we are seated with the President… to witness a history of the cultural heritage of Lagos.” He credited traditional institutions under Oba Rilwan Akiolu for reviving the festival, calling it “a living archive of our Yoruba heritage and a symbol of unity.”
Sanwo-Olu pledged his administration’s commitment to blending socio-economic progress with cultural preservation, positioning events like Eyo to elevate Lagos globally. The spectacle featured traditional dances, indigenous music, chants, and Eyo processions, wrapping up with special prayers for the President and Nigeria.
Dignitaries in attendance included Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Progressive Governors’ Forum Chairman; Minister of State for Finance Doris Uzoka; President’s Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila; diplomatic corps members; and top federal and state officials.
The festival’s revival underscores Lagos’s enduring cultural pulse amid its modern ambitions.
