President Tinubu and Governor Sanwo-Olu Celebrate Cultural Renaissance at 73rd Eyo Festival

 The streets of Lagos Island were transformed into a sea of white as the Lagos State Government successfully staged the 73rd Adamu Orisa Play, popularly known as the Eyo Festival, after an eight-year hiatus. The historic event, held at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), was graced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, marking a significant milestone in the state’s efforts to preserve its 300-year-old cultural heritage.

President Tinubu hailed the festival as a "renaissance of Lagos culture," describing it as a vital celebration of the exemplary lives of distinguished Lagosians. The President noted that the Eyo tradition serves as a bridge between Nigeria’s rich past and its vibrant future. The festival’s return was met with massive crowds, signaling a deep-seated communal desire to reconnect with the traditional roots that define the "soul" of the aquatic city.

​Governor Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to safeguarding the state’s cultural identity under the THEMES Plus development agenda. He emphasized that the Eyo Festival represents unity and pride, serving as a powerful reminder of the responsibility to pass traditions to future generations. He also expressed profound gratitude to the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty Oba Rilwan Akiolu, for approving the staging of the sacred play.

​This year’s edition was particularly symbolic, as it honored the legacies of four iconic Lagosians: the late Iyaloja-General Chief Abibat Mogaji, Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, and Sir Michael Otedola. Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, explained that the Eyo tradition historically escorts the souls of such giants to the ancestral realm, symbolizing purity, discipline, and the continuity of leadership.

The festival concluded with a colorful procession of various Eyo Igas, including the Akintoye, Kosoko, and Oniru groups, led by the Special Adviser on Tourism, Idris Aregbe. Dressed in resplendent white robes and wielding the symbolic Opambata staff, the performers showcased the discipline and pageantry that have made Eyo a global attraction. With dignitaries like Babatunde Fashola and Akinwunmi Ambode in attendance, the event successfully repositioned Lagos as a premier destination for cultural tourism.