- Lagos Gears Up for Eyo Festival as Tinubu Meets Organisers
- The organisers have also reiterated long standing cultural rules and guidelines that spectators must observe during the festival
- Governor Sanwo Olu also reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s support for the festival
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, alongside the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, and Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo Olu, has received members of the Eyo Festival Organising Committee at his Lagos residence, formally signalling the commencement of activities ahead of the 2025 Eyo Festival slated for Saturday, December 27.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the high level courtesy visit underscored the cultural importance of the festival and served as a traditional endorsement ahead of the iconic procession known as the Adamu Orisa Play, one of Lagos’ most revered heritage events.
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Officially titled Adamu Orisa Play 2025, the festival is being organised under the authority of His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Rilwan Akiolu Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu, the Oba of Lagos.
The event is being hosted by Lagos Island Local Government and Lagos Island East Local Council Development Area, as indicated on the official festival announcement.
According to the organisers, the celebration will hold at Tafawa Balewa Square, Onikan, Lagos Island, the traditional convergence point for Eyo masquerades and spectators. Members of the public have been invited to witness what the organisers described as a historic cultural masterpiece celebrating the rich heritage of Lagos.
The Eyo Festival, also known as the Adamu Orisa Play, is characterised by the appearance of thousands of Eyo masquerades dressed in flowing white agbada-like garments and wide brimmed hats of varying colours. Each group represents different traditional lineages and performs ritual processions across key routes on Lagos Island, culminating at Tafawa Balewa Square.
The organisers have also reiterated long standing cultural rules and guidelines that spectators must observe during the festival. These include a prohibition on wearing footwear or shoes, the plaiting of shuku hairstyle, the use of umbrellas, the taking of photographs of the Eyo Orisa, and the smoking of tobacco pipes during the procession.
Traditional chants and moral admonitions are expected to accompany the event, including the popular phrase “mo yo fun e mo yo fun ra mi,” symbolising joy, peace and communal harmony.
The 2025 edition of the festival will be officially announced by Hon Prince Taiwo Ajibade Oyekan, Executive Chairman of Lagos Island Local Government, and Hon Muibi Alade Folawiyo, Executive Chairman of Lagos Island East LCDA, reflecting the active involvement of local government authorities in preserving the festival.
Historically, the Eyo Festival predates modern Lagos and is rooted in the spiritual traditions of the Awori people. It is traditionally held to mark significant transitions such as the ascension of a new Oba, the installation of a high chief, or to honour the passing of a prominent Lagos indigene. In contemporary times, it has evolved into a major cultural and tourism attraction.
President Tinubu, a long time advocate of Yoruba cultural preservation and Lagos traditions, has consistently supported the promotion of indigenous heritage. His reception of the organisers is widely seen as reinforcing the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s cultural identity.
Governor Sanwo Olu also reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s support for the festival, noting its economic and tourism benefits, particularly during the festive season when hotels, transport services, artisans and vendors experience increased activity.
With official endorsements now in place and preparations at an advanced stage, anticipation is building across Lagos and beyond for the December 27 celebration. Security, crowd control and infrastructure arrangements are expected to be prioritised to ensure a peaceful and memorable event.
As Lagos prepares once again to welcome the procession of white clad masqueraders, the 2025 Eyo Festival is set to blend history, spirituality and spectacle, reaffirming the enduring cultural legacy of Lagos Island and its people.
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