In a world where culture is increasingly digitized and diluted, Ojude Oba shows us that tradition is still very much alive and thriving. Held annually on the third day after Eid al-Adha in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, South-West Nigeria, the festival has grown from its roots to a global spectacle of Yoruba heritage, elegance, and unity.

This festival evolved into a dazzling spectacle of pageantry, pride, and profound tradition. But behind the shimmering of the aso-oke, regal horses, and thunderous parades, Ojude Oba hold up a mirror to Nigeria, reflecting not only where we came from, but what we are still capable of becoming.

Here are four lessons Ojude Oba 2025 offered about culture, community, and identity in modern Nigeria.

1. Cultural Pride still runs deep and can unify

Amidst Nigeria’s complex social and ethnic tensions, Ojude Oba stands as a symbol of unity through heritage. Descendants of the Ijebu lineage gather from all over the world to pay homage to Awujale of Ijebu land, the revered traditional ruler. The festival draws Muslims, Christians, and people of all beliefs into one collective cultural rhythm.

There is no need to perform nationalism when culture already unites. Christians join Muslims in celebration, locals welcome returnees, and regberegbe (age-grade groups) proudly showcase their roots. It’s a reminder that shared history and tradition can create cohesion where politics often divide.

2. The Youths are not just watching, they are leading

If Ojude Oba is a stage, Nigerian youths are taking lead roles. From choreographed entries of regberegbe to the explosion of social media coverage. Young people are not only documenting the festival, they shaping how it is remembered.

They show up in coordinated outfit, with cameras, and captions. They treat tradition not as a relic but as content worth curating and customs worth carrying forward. In doing so, they offer a counter-narrative to the idea that the younger generation is detached from their roots.

Ojude Oba reveals that when heritage is made visible and vibrant, young Nigerians are more than willing to embrace it.

3. Ojude Oba is arguably Nigeria’s most elegant cultural runway. But it is not about looking good, it is about story telling.

Each outfit, each accessory, each family coordination is an act of remembering.

The men wore agabadas like armour, the women wore geles like crowns. Colours are not chosen at random, they often symbolise history, homage and shared ancestry. Members of regberegbe sometimes dress to honour ancestors, celebrate matriarchs, or showcase clan identity.

In a world saturated by western fashion standards, Ojude Oba unapologetic says: “African aesthetics are not just stylish, they are sacred.”

4. Nigeria’s Tourism potential is hiding in plain sight

With hotels in Ijebu-ode fully booked and streets bursting with both locals and foreigners, Ojude Oba has clearly become more than a local affair, it is a major cultural attraction. But we can clearly see that the lack of structured tourism infrastructure is obvious.

There is little signage, minimal government presence, and few resources to help guests, especially first timers trying to navigate the experience. If Ojude Oba were in another country, it would likely be a multi-day, multi-million-dollar cultural calendar event backed by a robust tourism board.

The lesson here is that Nigeria doesn’t need to invent culture to boost tourism. What’s needed is investment, policy, and intentional promotion. Events like Ojude Oba already have global appeal, what they lack is national support.

Also Read: How Ijebu teacher crawled to the verge of $1m prize by making maths really simple in his mother tongue

More than beads and horses

Ojude Oba 2025 was not just a show of culture, it was a statement of continuity, that culture pride still pulses strong, and Nigerians are still willing to carry the torch of heritage forward, not just for spectacle but for substance.

In many ways, Ojude Oba is a festival about remembering who we are, who we’ve been and what holds us together. And, perhaps, the biggest takeaway is this: when culture is respected, protected, and proudly displayed, it becomes not a thing to only admire, but to build on.

Anita Chinedu