Amanze Chinonye
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has expressed excitement over the return of the iconic Eyo Festival, describing it as a major cultural moment for Lagos and Nigeria, Prime Business Africa reports.
The governor spoke on Monday, December 22, 2025, during an interview on Journalists’ Hangout, a current affairs programme aired on Television Continental (TVC), where he discussed a range of issues, including the forthcoming Eyo festival.
Sanwo-Olu also disclosed via his official X (formerly Twitter) account that he received Eyọ Ọba Alakẹtẹ Pupa, Laba Ẹkun, at the Lagos House, Ikeja, where they performed the Ijade Ọpa procession, led by the Ọkọlaba and the Bajulu of Lagos.
Join our WhatsApp Channel“This visit is part of the traditional rites leading up to the Adamu Orisa Play, the Eyọ Festival 2025, which will take place on the 27th of December at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos,” Sanwo-Olu wrote.
READ ALSO : Eyo Festival: Lagos’ Timeless Celebration of Ancestry, Culture, History
Sanwo-Olu Unveils West Africa’s Largest Library at Lagos State University
The governor noted that the last Eyo festival held in Lagos took place more than eight years ago, making this year’s celebration particularly significant. He thanked the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Aremu Akiolu, for granting royal blessings for the festival, describing the monarch’s support as vital to the preservation of Lagos’ cultural heritage.
Sanwo-Olu explained that the Eyo Festival is traditionally organised to honour prominent Lagosians who have passed on, adding that the 2025 edition is dedicated to the memories of four distinguished personalities whose legacies extend beyond Lagos State.
According to him, those being honoured are Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson (retd.), the first Military Administrator of Lagos State; late Alhaji Lateef Babatunde Jakande, the first civilian governor of Lagos State; Sir Michael Agbolade Otedola, a former civilian governor of the state; and Alhaja Abibat Mogaji, former Iya Oloja-General of Nigeria and mother of President Bola Tinubu.
Sanwo-Olu noted that both Johnson and Jakande passed on during the current administration, while Alhaja Mogaji, who died nearly a decade ago, remains a towering figure in Lagos’ commercial and cultural history. He described the four as “not just outstanding Lagosians, but outstanding Nigerians.”
The governor further disclosed that all four families will come together for the celebration, an uncommon occurrence in the history of the Eyo tradition.
Activities marking the commencement of the festival officially began on Sunday, December 21, 2025, when the Adimu, regarded as the highest-ranking group in the Eyo hierarchy, visited the Lagos State House and later met with the President, a symbolic rite signifying the formal start of the festival.
The main event, Sanwo-Olu said, will take place on Saturday, December 27, 2025, when between 10,000 and 12,000 Eyo masquerades are expected to parade across Lagos Island.
He described the festival as a celebration of unity, history and culture, adding that Lagos State is ready to host visitors from across the country for what he called a colourful and memorable event, Prime Business Africa reports.
Amanze Chinonye is a Staff Correspondent at Prime Business Africa, a rising star in the literary world, weaving captivating stories that transport readers to the vibrant landscapes of Nigeria and the rest of Africa. With a unique voice that blends with the newspaper's tradition and style, Chinonye's writing is a masterful exploration of the human condition, delving into themes of identity, culture, and social justice. Through her words, Chinonye paints vivid portraits of everyday African life, from the bustling markets of Nigeria's Lagos to the quiet villages of South Africa's countryside . With a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of the complexities of Nigerian society, Chinonye's writing is both a testament to the country's rich cultural heritage and a powerful call to action for a brighter future. As a writer, Chinonye is a true storyteller, using her dexterity to educate, inspire, and uplift readers around the world.
