Festivals

Lisabi Festival 2026: 50 Nations Set for Grand Tribute

Published

7 months ago

March 20, 2026

Lisabi Festival 2026 will host 50 nations in Abeokuta, celebrating Egba heritage and boosting cultural tourism in Nigeria

Convener of Egbaliganza, Dr Lai Labode, has announced that at least 50 countries will participate in the Lisabi Festival 2026, paying homage to Egba legend Lisabi and the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo.

Also read: Ogbuku Unveils Bold Niger Delta Development Plans

Dr Labode disclosed this during the unveiling of activities for the third edition of Egbaliganza, scheduled for March 28 in Abeokuta.

He described the development as a powerful cultural milestone that will position Abeokuta on the global stage.

Dr Labode said the convergence of nations reflects the deep cultural weight and identity of the Egba people.

According to him, the festival will feature a Parade of Nations, where delegations will showcase their unique traditions alongside Egba heritage.

Dr Labode added that the event will include a formal charter signing to strengthen long-term collaboration in culture, tourism, and creative enterprise.

Other highlights include the Walk of Heroes and Walk of Kings, designed to honour legacy and leadership across cultures.

He also announced fashion runways and hackathons that will promote indigenous textiles such as Adire and Aso-Oke, blending tradition with innovation.

A symbolic Unity Drum, known as the Alake-Egbaliganza Drum, will be unveiled during the festival.

An 80-man orchestral band will perform, while the “Oja Egbaliganza” exhibition will display historic garments and artefacts.

Dr Labode noted that some of the artefacts date back several centuries, underscoring the richness of Egba history.

The festival will conclude with a gala night themed “Flame of a Continent,” alongside the formal Lisabi Day celebration.

In a major boost, the organisers confirmed that the Lisabi Festival 2026 has secured official recognition from the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy.

Dr Labode said the recognition strengthens the festival’s national status and opens new opportunities for cultural tourism and economic growth.

He added that the 2026 theme will focus on culture as a driver of economic development at grassroots, national, and continental levels.

Also read: Nigeria Partners with UK for £746m Lagos Port Overhaul

The announcement signals a bold step in promoting Nigeria’s cultural heritage on the global stage, with Abeokuta set to become a vibrant hub of international cultural exchange.

Up Next

Her Future Festival: First All-Female BlockParty in Lagos

Don't Miss

UNESCO-Recognised Fichee‑Chambalaalla Festival Lights Up Southern Ethiopia

Click to comment

Entertainment

Orlando Owoh Music Festival Set for November 7 in Lagos

Published

10 hours ago

October 13, 2026

Mariam Balogun

Orlando Owoh Music Festival 2026 holds November 7 at KYMA Beach, Lagos, celebrating the highlife legend’s legacy and distinctive Kenery sound

(more…)

Entertainment

Chinazaekpere Chukwu’s ‘Her Daughters’ Mother’ Heads to London Festival

Published

1 day ago

October 12, 2026

Mariam Balogun

Her Daughters’ Mother, Chinazaekpere Chukwu’s feature directorial debut, has been selected for Film Africa 2026 in London

(more…)

Culture

OLOJO….Ile Ife’s September Gift To Culture

Published

1 week ago

October 5, 2026

Mariam Balogun

By Halima Adaba,

It was a featubal if the people. It was for the anciebt town of Ile Ife, which the Yoruba race refards as the Source.

Also read: Olojo Festival 2026: Ooni Urges Leaders to Prioritise Citizens

And ut was a festivsl for the King, Arole Oduduwa, Oonirisa, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.

And so between September 24 and 28th 2026, the annual featuval dazzjed in all its white glory.

Tge Monarch paid the traditional ancestral homage and offered propitiation as part of the sacred rites of the Olojo Festival.
It was a powerful expression of Yoruba heritage, spirituality, and enduring tradition.

Call it a collection of beautiful moments, faces, colours and cultural expressions.

Every frame tells a story.

Every face carries the energy.

Every moment keeps the heritage alive.

Undoubtedly one of the most sacred cultural celebrations in Ilé-Ifẹ̀. It marked a day associated with creation, thanksgiving, ancestral heritage, and the sacred appearance of the Ooni of Ife wearing the revered Aàrẹ crown.

There were also the devotees of the famed god of thunder – Sàngó who were hardly conspicuous at the festival.

Many other traditional groups came out with candor, showing a powerful expression of Yoruba cultural identity, spiritual devotion, and respect for the ancient traditions of Ilé-Ifẹ̀.

Devotees of Sàngó bekieved the ‘appearance’ of the god of thunder on Seotember 26th could be understood as a symbolic meeting of ancestral heritage, spiritual devotion, and the celebration of creation.

It was a moment when the sounds of drums, chants, and traditional praise poetry brought the history of the Yoruba people to life.

Although Olojo is closely associated with Ogun, the god of iron, and the sacred traditions of Ile-Ife, the presence of Sàngó devotees reflected the rich diversity of Yoruba spiritual heritage.

Also read: Olojo Festival 2026: Ooni Urges Leaders to Prioritise Citizens

As a participant enthused at the festival, “To witness Sàngó Olúkòso emerge on Olojo Festival day is to witness a living expression of history, identity, and ancestral pride.”