The Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, has announced that the historical Eyo Festival holds in Lagos on December 27, 2025.

This festival, according to the revered monarch is to honour the late Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, the mother of President Bola Tinubu as well as the former governors of Lagos State, the late Alhaji Lateef Jakande and Michael Otedola.

The announcement was made on Monday during a press conference held at the Palace of the Oba of Lagos, where the king noted that all hands have been on deck to host several participants at Tafawa Balewa Square, the designated venue for the cultural event.

Oba Akiolu explained that the festival is being staged in honour of the late matriarch and the two former leaders, all of whom he described as pillars of Lagos history and respected for their contributions to governance, civil leadership, and community development.

According to the monarch, Alhaja Mogaji is being remembered for her influential role in Lagos’ market leadership structure, while Jakande and Otedola are celebrated for policies and programmes that shaped the city’s progress over the years.

“This year’s Eyo is not just a cultural display, but a remembrance, a mark of respect for great individuals who left their imprint on Lagos,” Oba Akiolu said.

He further assured the public that the Lagos State Government had guaranteed maximum security throughout the festival period.

Security agencies, he noted, had been placed on alert to ensure that the celebration holds peacefully.

The monarch warned against the commercialisation of the festival, saying, “It is not an avenue to make money. Eyo is our heritage — sacred, historic, dignified — and we must treat it as such.”

As part of measures to ease movement and encourage participation, Oba Akiolu announced that plans were underway to provide 100 buses to convey guests and attendees from all parts of the state, ensuring smooth access to and from the island.

The Eyo Festival, last held in 2017, is known for its iconic white-clad masquerades and vibrant display of chants, dance, and cultural symbolism.