As part of preparations for the 2025 Eyo Festival slated for Saturday, December 27, 2025, at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos Island, the Lagos State Government on Monday formally received the Labá Ẹ̀kùn Eyo, popularly known as Ijádé Òpá, of the Adamu Orisha Eyo.
The ceremonial reception, which took place at the Lagos House, Ikeja, marks the official commencement of activities leading to the annual Eyo Festival, one of Lagos State’s most revered and internationally recognised cultural celebrations.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu received the Labá Ẹ̀kùn Eyo alongside the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka; the Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Idris Aregbe; the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Mrs. Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila; members of the State Executive Council; the Body of Permanent Secretaries; representatives of traditional institutions; cultural custodians; and other distinguished guests.
Speaking at the event, Governor Sanwo-Olu described the Eyo Festival as a living symbol of Lagos’ identity, resilience, and cultural continuity. He noted that the festival remains one of the most profound expressions of the collective heritage of Lagosians.
“The Eyo Festival connects our past with our present and reaffirms the values, traditions, and history that define us as a people,” the Governor said, reiterating his administration’s commitment to preserving the state’s cultural heritage while leveraging it to promote tourism and economic growth.
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Benson-Awoyinka, said the Eyo Festival continues to serve as a powerful expression of Lagos’ identity, unity, and history. She added that the annual celebration consistently attracts tourists, historians, and culture enthusiasts from across Nigeria and beyond.
She reaffirmed the Sanwo-Olu administration’s dedication to preserving and promoting indigenous culture as a key driver of social cohesion and economic development.
This year’s festival is being staged in honour of four eminent Lagosians whose contributions left lasting imprints on the development of Lagos State and Nigeria. They are Alhaja Abibat Mogaji, former Iyaloja-General of Nigeria; Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson (rtd.), former Military Governor of Lagos State; Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, former Governor of Lagos State; and Sir Michael Otedola, distinguished businessman and philanthropist.
The Eyo Festival, also known as the Adamu Orisha Play, features the iconic procession of Eyo masquerades adorned in flowing white garments and wielding the traditional Opá Bàtá, symbolising purity, transition, and ancestral guidance. Beyond its spiritual essence, the festival has grown into a major cultural and tourism asset, drawing global attention to Lagos’ rich traditions.
As preparations intensify ahead of the grand event at TBS, the Lagos State Government has assured residents and visitors of comprehensive security arrangements, effective traffic management, and robust logistical planning to ensure a safe and memorable celebration.
The reception concluded with traditional chants and blessings, encapsulating the enduring spirit of goodwill and reverence with the expression: “Mo yọ fún ẹ, mo yọ fún rárá mi.”
