Lagos Braces Up for Christmas-Centric Eyo Festival After Long 8 Years of Hiatus

By: Olufemi Orunsola

After eight long years of hiatus, Lagos Nigeria is all excited and seriously planning for the 2025 Eyo Festival, which wears a garb of Christmas, marking the return of the Eyo Festival in a bigger way. 

OPEN TELEVISION NAIJA (OTN) News recalls that earlier this week, the Governor of Nigeria's commercial nerve centre and aquatic city, 

Lagos, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, alongside the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, hosted the Ijade Opa Eyo procession at Lagos House, Marina, marking the commencement of activities ahead of the Eyo Festival, which signalled a unique Christmas-centric observation of the Eyo Festival 2025.

OTN News further reports that from the procession, which paraded the leader of the Eyo masquerade gang known and addresed as the Olori Eyo, White Cap chiefs, traditional leaders and other cultural stakeholders, keen observers could readily tell that in addition to the cultural significance attached to the annual festival in preserving Lagos’ cultural heritage, the 2025 edition really promises to be Christmas-centric.

In his speech during the Eyo parade, Mr.Sanwo-Olu said the Eyo Festival presents Lagos to the world not only as Nigeria’s economic and commercial hub, but also as a city deeply rooted in history, culture and tourism.

He also described culture as a vital element that defines identity, ensures continuity, and keeps society relevant.

The governor revealed that this year’s festival will honour notable individuals who played significant roles in the development of Lagos and Nigeria. Among those to be remembered are the late Chief Abibat Mogaji, former Iyaloja-General of Lagos and mother of President Bola Tinubu; Mobolaji Johnson, Lagos State’s first military governor; Alhaji Lateef Jakande, the state’s first civilian governor; and Sir Michael Otedola of the Third Otedola bridge fame.

Sanwo-Olu said the official commencement of the festival symbolises shared identity and continuity, adding that societies that lose touch with their culture risk losing their sense of purpose. He stressed that Lagos has deliberately chosen to remain connected to its roots.

He also commended the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu, for his leadership and for championing the return of the Eyo Festival after an eight-year hiatus.

Meanwhile, OTN News reports that the colour scheme of the 2025 Eyo Festival is indisputably suited to match the mode of Christmas even though the Festival is scheduled to hold after Christmas day and boxing day.

After the Eyo Parade which held earlier in the week, Governor Sanwo-Olu openly acknowledged that he received Eyọ Ọba Alakẹtẹ Pupa, Laba Ẹkun, at Lagos House, they performed the Ijade Ọpa procession, led by the Ọkọlaba and the Bajulu of Lagos.

Sanwo-olu noted that "This visit is part of the traditional rites leading up to the Adamu Orisa Play, the Eyọ Festival 2025, which will take place on the 27th of December at the Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos."

The Eyọ Festival remains one of our most important cultural expressions, connecting generations and preserving traditions that define who we are as a people.

The governor thanked residents and visitors who turned out to support the procession, describing their presence as a reflection of the strength and dignity of Lagos culture.

As Lagosians therefore prepare for the D-Day celebration of Eyo Festival on Saturday, December 27, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu who is in Lagos to observe his end-of-the-year holiday has assured Lagosians of maximum security.

Similarly, Lagos Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu has expressed confidence that the festival would be a proud moment for the state, welcoming guests from across Nigeria and around the world while reaffirming that Lagos truly answers to its description as Nigeria’s Centre of Excellence on all fonts including the domains of culture in line with the saying that charity begins at home.