By Peter Omopo
Ijebu Ode, June 27, 2025 — The 2025 edition of the Ojude Oba festival, widely acclaimed as the largest in the event’s history, attracted over ₦2 billion in sponsorship, according to cultural ambassador and festival icon, Farooq Oreagba.
Oreagba revealed this in a recent interview, stating that this year’s celebration surpassed previous editions in both scale and economic impact, with major corporate endorsements and expanded logistics to accommodate record-breaking crowds.
“Ojude Oba 2025 was the biggest ever. The arena could not contain the number of people. We had to adjust the whole structure of the event,” he said in a video shared on social media.
The event, held annually in Ijebu Ode, celebrates Yoruba heritage and honours the Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona. This year’s festival saw endorsements and support from brands such as Airtel, Goldberg, and Polo Avenue.
Oreagba, who went viral for his stylish appearance at the 2024 edition and was subsequently named an Honorary Cultural Ambassador by the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), noted that corporate sponsorships poured in after his 2024 endorsement deal with Airtel.
“Last year I got my Airtel endorsement after Ojude Oba. It set up a wave of things. This year, virtually every family got endorsed,” he said, adding that he redirected many offers to support other festival participants.
He mentioned endorsements involving rising cultural figures like Doyin Alatishe (Goldberg) and Princess Adesile (Polo Avenue) as part of his effort to broaden the festival’s appeal and benefits.
“In total, by my rough estimates, we generated over ₦2bn in sponsorships for the festival and the riders. CNN also reported that the Ijebu economy saw an additional $10 million injection,” Oreagba stated.
Director-General of the NCAC, Obi Asika, also lauded Oreagba’s role in elevating Ojude Oba’s profile, describing him as “authentic” and “a true Nigerian original.”
Asika emphasized the importance of strategic branding, production quality, and logistics in transforming local festivals into globally competitive cultural showcases.
“For all our festivals, we want better production, communication, and branding to ensure they become self-sustaining. Ojude Oba is now setting the benchmark,” he wrote on Instagram.
Governor Dapo Abiodun and the Awujale of Ijebuland were also commended for their support in maintaining the cultural and economic momentum of the annual festival.
