By Iyabo Adebisi
Oyo State Government has unveiled plans to transform Yoruba cultural heritage into a global economic asset, announcing 2026 World Egungun Festival as a strategic vehicle for income generation, cultural preservation, and international acceptability.
Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, made this known during a press conference at the Cultural Centre, Mokola, Ibadan.
Dr Olatunbosun said the state is aligning with present global demands to repackage the Egungun tradition in a way that attracts tourists, investors, and sponsors while safeguarding its ancestral roots.
The two-day festival, scheduled for May 1 to May 2, 2026, is a joint initiative of the Oyo State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Adayeba Culture Tourism Foundation, The Sahara Centre, Ìjọ-Ọ̀jẹ̀ Parapọ̀ Welfare Association Worldwide, and the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan.
In her goodwill message, representative of Sahara Centre, Omobolanle Shebanjo, said the symposium addresses “tradition, tension, and transformation” as Egungun encounters the digital world and global audiences.
She added that documentation is critical to ensure the culture is preserved authentically as it scales globally.
Professor Sola Olorunyomi of the Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan, noted that Egungun’s relevance extends beyond ritual into modern creative industries.
According to the organizers, over 18,000 participants and attendees, including Deputy British High Commissioner, diplomats, UNESCO representatives, traditional rulers, international tourists, and professional associations would grace the festival.
Governor Seyi Makinde would be Special Guest of Honour alongside Minister for Culture and Tourism, Hannatu Musawa, while Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, would double as Royal father and Chairman of the occasion.
Edited by Titilayo Kupoliyi
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