President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has described the 73rd Eyo Festival as a renaissance of Lagos culture, praising its historic return after eight years and its role in preserving Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.
Eko Hot News reports that the 73rd Adamu Orisa Play was held at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Onikan, on Saturday, December 27, 2025, attracting top political leaders, traditional institutions, residents, and visitors from within and outside Nigeria.
The event was attended by President Tinubu, Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Imo State Governor Senator Hope Uzodimma, and other eminent personalities, underscoring the national importance of the festival.
President Tinubu described the Eyo Festival as a celebration of outstanding achievements and exemplary lives of eminent Lagosians, noting that it reflects the depth and continuity of Nigeria’s cultural values.
Governor Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to safeguarding Lagos’ cultural identity in line with the THEMES Plus agenda, describing the festival as a symbol of unity, pride, and continuity between tradition and modernity.
He thanked President Tinubu for his support and appreciated the Oba of Lagos, His Royal Majesty Oba Rilwan Akiolu, for approving the staging of the festival after years of absence.
Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, described the festival as a defining moment in Lagos’ cultural revival, stressing that it represents over 300 years of history, resilience, and communal identity.
She noted that the 2025 edition honoured four eminent Lagosians: Chief Abibat Mogaji, Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson, Alhaji Lateef Jakande, and Sir Michael Otedola, whose legacies continue to shape Lagos and Nigeria.
The colourful procession of several Eyo Igas, led by Special Adviser on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Idris Aregbe, reinforced the spiritual essence of the ancient tradition.
Dignitaries, including former governors, ministers, traditional rulers, and Nigerians in the diaspora, witnessed the peaceful and well-coordinated celebration, reaffirming Lagos’ status as a global cultural destination.
