Kayokayo Festival with Innovation and Tribute to Late Olu Epe

Kayokayo Festival 2025 will be held in honour of the late Olu Epe, HRM Oba Shefiu Olatunji Adewale.
A new “Street Feeding” initiative will offer meals across various streets in Epe to foster unity and generosity.
Organizers promise improved structure, stronger Islamic focus, and wider media coverage for better visibility.

The 2025 edition of the Annual Kayokayo Festival in Epe Kingdom will proceed without a crowned monarch but will be held in honour of the late Olu Epe, HRM Oba Shefiu Olatunji Adewale.

Ekohotblog reports that festival is expected to be rich in cultural, religious, and social activities, with new innovations designed to make it even more impactful for the Epe community and visitors.

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This was disclosed by the Chairman of the Kayokayo Advisory Board, Alhaji Alade-Soliu Okulu, at a press conference held on July 18, 2025, at the 1st Epe Central Mosque, Oke Balogun.

Speaking to journalists, Alhaji Okulu said, “The journey of King Kosoko to Epe in 1851, at night with a lightening object known as ‘Etufu’ is being remembered during the festival, which is the cultural aspect of the festival.”

He noted that beyond its cultural essence, the Kayokayo Festival promotes Islam and strengthens community bonds.

“Islam is being promoted by the festival and the social aspect of it is the feeding of people to the point of satisfaction.

It is a festival that fosters communal bonding and economic growth, because businesses get a boost due to the influx of people into the community during Kayokayo,” he explained.

To further enhance the festival’s impact, the committee has introduced a new concept called “Street Feeding,” scheduled for Thursday at Epe Ogunmodede Club.

“With this innovation, people will be provided with delicious meals across streets within the community to the point of satisfaction,” he said.

Addressing concerns about security, Alhaji Okulu, a retired Comptroller of Customs, reassured the public that the situation in Epe is peaceful and that adequate measures have been put in place to ensure the safety of lives and property throughout the festival.

Kayokayo Committee Coordinator, Barr. Bayo Okulu, added that the festival has received collaboration from the Lagos State Government as well as support from corporate sponsors and individuals.

“Earlier preparation will be adopted henceforth in order to get better corporate sponsorship and more support for the subsequent edition of the festival,” he noted.

The Grand-Chief Imam of Epe Division, Fadeelat Sheikh Abdul-Rahman Abiola Sadallah, urged the committee to place greater focus on the Islamic aspect of the festival.

“Kayokayo is being held in other places, but ours in this community remains the best and it is more elaborate than others.

Let’s start inviting people from other states to be part of our Qur’anic Competition. This will popularize the festival more and further advance Islam.

Kayokayo is anchored on Islam, and due to this, the large part of the funds realized for the festival should be expended on religious aspects, not the social,” he advised.

Chairman of the Kayokayo Publicity Sub-Committee, Engr. Gbajumo Ahmed Olalekan, revealed that the event had been repackaged with several surprises.

He noted that wide media coverage had been arranged to ensure strong visibility of the festival. “No one should miss the festival, starting from Day One to the Grand Finale,” he said.