President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday attended the 2025 Adamu Orisha Play, popularly known as the Eyo Festival, describing the iconic celebration as a powerful platform through which Lagos continues to accentuate the richness of Nigerian culture.
The President made this remark at the festival held at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos Island, which was attended by Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma; Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Dr Obafemi Hamzat; Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa; the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty Oba Rilwanu Akiolu; captains of industry; traditional rulers; former and serving public office holders; political leaders; as well as Nigerians from the diaspora and foreign visitors.
President Tinubu noted that the Eyo Festival remains one of Lagos’ most symbolic cultural events, reinforcing the city’s historical roots while projecting its traditions to a global audience. He said the festival serves as a reminder of the immense potential of culture and tradition in driving tourism development and economic growth.
In his address, Tinubu described the procession of white-robed Eyo masquerades as a strong statement of Lagos’ cultural identity and pride.
“It is heartwarming to witness the 2025 Eyo Festival held in honour of our late distinguished leaders—Brigadier-General Mobolaji Olufunsho Johnson (rtd), Alhaji Lateef Kayode Jakande, Chief Michael Agbolade Otedola—and my beloved mother, Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji, the Iyaloja General of Nigeria and a highly revered women’s leader,” the President said.
He added that the Eyo Festival is more than a celebration, noting that it reflects the beliefs, values and cultural depth of the people of Lagos and underscores the broader cultural heritage of Nigeria.
The President observed that the timing of the festival, coinciding with the annual “Detty December” season, further highlights its tourism value, as Lagos continues to attract thousands of Nigerians in the diaspora and international visitors.
“Our cultural assets can serve as powerful tools for destination promotion. The glamour of white-robed figures parading our streets in celebration of distinguished Lagosians sends a resounding message about who we are as a people and as a nation,” Tinubu said.
He expressed appreciation to Governor Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor Hamzat and members of the Lagos State Executive Council, particularly on behalf of the families of the honourees, while also thanking the state for the honour bestowed on his late mother.
President Tinubu further congratulated the people and government of Lagos State, as well as traditional institutions in the state—especially the Oba of Lagos, HRM Oba Rilwanu Akiolu—on the successful staging of the 2025 Eyo Festival.
Earlier, Governor Sanwo-Olu described the Eyo Festival as a unique cultural symbol and a powerful affirmation of Lagos’ identity, resilience and unbroken connection to history. He said the tradition serves as a living archive of Yoruba heritage and a symbol of unity, purity and communal strength.
“The return of the Eyo Festival after eight years reasserts Lagos as the proud custodian of Nigeria’s living culture—a city where tradition is not abandoned but elevated,” the governor said.
Sanwo-Olu noted that beyond its cultural significance, the festival projects Lagos onto the global stage, stimulates tourism and economic activity, and creates opportunities for growth, while inviting the world to experience the spirit of Eko.
He explained that this year’s festival was particularly significant as it collectively honoured four eminent figures whose lives shaped the course of Lagos and Nigeria, singling out Alhaja Abibatu Mogaji as a symbol of the strength, enterprise and leadership of Lagos women.
The governor congratulated the Oba of Lagos, the White Cap Chiefs, the Akinsiku of Lagos (Olori Eyo), the Council of Adamu Orisa and the people of Lagos State on what he described as a historic cultural milestone, while urging the families of the honourees to sustain their legacies of service and excellence.
In his remarks, Deputy Governor Hamzat said the pageantry and symmetry of the Eyo Festival reflect the essence of Lagos, describing it as a unique blend of culture and character.
Oba Akiolu, in his royal address, said the festival is a meditation on leadership, legacy and communal responsibility, underscoring the bond between leaders and the people and the importance of preserving shared values.
The 2025 Adamu Orisha Play once again reaffirmed Lagos’ position as a cultural capital, where heritage and progress coexist.
