President Bola Tinubu has described the Eyo Festival as a powerful symbol of Nigeria’s enduring cultural heritage, saying it honours the remarkable achievements and exemplary lives of distinguished Nigerians beyond the confines of Lagos State.
The President made the remarks on Saturday while attending the grand finale of the 2025 Eyo Festival at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, marking the climax of a week-long celebration.
According to President Tinubu, the individuals honoured at the festival earned their recognition through visionary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to public service, which helped elevate Lagos to national and global prominence.
“The Eyo Festival is a vibrant expression of the rich traditions of Lagos. It celebrates the achievements, outstanding contributions, and exemplary lives of distinguished Nigerians, not only eminent Lagosians,” the President said.
He noted that the festival coincided with the popular Detty December season, a period that attracts large numbers of Nigerians in the diaspora as well as foreign visitors to Lagos. According to him, the cultural spectacle highlights the immense tourism potential embedded in Nigeria’s traditions.
“The sight of white-robed figures parading the streets in celebration of distinguished Lagosians sends a powerful message about who we are as a people and as a nation,” he added.
The President urged participants to celebrate responsibly and prioritise safety throughout the festivities.
Dressed in the traditional white attire of the Eyo masquerade, complete with a damask sash, a star-adorned hat and the ceremonial staff known as opambata, President Tinubu joined other revellers in the cultural procession.
The festival commenced earlier in the week with the presentation of the ceremonial staff to the President at his Lagos residence on Sunday, December 21.
In his welcome address, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu described the occasion as both historic and symbolic, calling it a homecoming for the President.
“What we are celebrating today is unprecedented. As our son and our father, we are gathered with the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to witness a defining moment in the cultural history of Lagos,” the governor said.
Governor Sanwo-Olu commended the traditional institutions under the leadership of the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, for their role in reviving the festival after an eight-year hiatus.
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“The Eyo Festival, also known as the Adamu Orisha Play, is far more than pageantry. It is a living archive of our Yoruba heritage and a powerful symbol of unity, purity, and communal strength,” he said.
He assured residents that his administration would continue to pursue socio-economic development while preserving Lagos State’s cultural identity, adding that the festival would be further leveraged to promote Lagos on the global stage.
The event featured traditional dances, indigenous music, chants, and colourful processions by various Eyo groups, and concluded with special prayers for the President and the nation.
Dating back to 1854, the Eyo Festival was held this year for the first time in eight years. Unlike previous editions, the 2025 festival honoured four eminent Lagos personalities: the first military administrator of Lagos State, Mobolaji Johnson; the state’s first civilian governor, Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande; former governor Sir Michael Otedola; and former Iyaloja and mother of the President, Alhaja Abibat Mogaji.
The carnival once again showcased the depth of Lagos’ cultural heritage, uniting Yoruba families in a celebration of tradition, peace, and communal identity.
