Egbaland is set to host the 39th Lisabi Festival, a major cultural celebration honoring the history, heritage, unity, and enduring spirit of the Egba people. This year’s festival theme is “Integrating Apprenticeship Training into Education: Opportunities and Challenges.”

The Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Dr. Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, announced the festival activities during a press conference held at the Alake Palace, Ake, Abeokuta. He emphasized that the festival will once again showcase Egba culture, tradition, innovation, community pride, and the contributions of Egba sons and daughters at home and in the diaspora.

The 2026 edition has been designed to offer residents, visitors, cultural groups, students, youth organizations, artisans, business leaders, and diaspora participants a rich experience of Egba identity, education, enterprise, and celebration.

Key Festival Events

• Opening Exhibition of LUXAIR March 18, 2026, at the Amphitheatre, Ake Palace, Abeokuta.
• Chieftaincy Installations March 21, 2026.
• Ipate Agbongboakala, Lisabi Trade Fair Begins March 22, 2026, with additional trade fair activities throughout the festival week.
• Booming of Guns at Olumo Rock March 23, 2026, marking one of the traditional highlights of the festival.
• Rolling of the 2026 Lisabi Drum of Nations Led by the Alake at the Amphitheatre, Ake Palace, Abeokuta.
• Women and Youth Mobilization Procession Carnival-style procession featuring floats and public participation.
• Traditional Ayo Game To be held at Adire Hall, Ake Palace.
• Community Football Competition Semi-final matches at St. Peter’s College, Olomore, Abeokuta, followed by third-place and final matches at Moshood Abiola Sports Arena, Kuto.
• Traditional Wrestling and Kete Music Performance Featuring cultural entertainment at Centenary Hall, Ake, Abeokuta.
• Egbaland Indigenous Arts and Crafts Exhibition Showcasing Egba creativity, craftsmanship, and cultural enterprise.
• Secondary School Quiz and Debate Finals Educational competitions to engage students and promote intellectual development.
• Charity Initiatives Includes donation of beds and bedding to Oba Gbadebo Memorial Hospital, food support for vulnerable residents, and other community welfare activities.
• Free Eye Test and Medical Outreach Organized by the Egba community and partner organizations at designated festival venues.
• Seminar on Apprenticeship and Education A major intellectual session focused on integrating apprenticeship training into formal education.
• Procession to Igbo Lisabi Featuring Obas, Chiefs, Baales, eminent personalities, youths, and cultural groups.
• Visit to the 2026 Hero of the Year Honoring the Oyekan Royal Family.
• Visit to Olumo Rock Includes stopovers at Itoku Cenotaph and Sodeke’s graveside, traditional prayers, and cultural performances.
• Juma’at Service At the Central Mosque, Kobiti, Abeokuta.
• Dinner and Awards Night At Adire Hall, Ake Palace, with musical entertainment by Sir Shina Peters.
• Cultural Pageantry and Adire Celebration Featuring cultural performances and the crowning of Mr. and Mrs. Adire Egba.
• Grand Finale March 28, 2026, at the Amphitheater, Ake Palace, Abeokuta, with Governor Dapo Abiodun expected as Special Guest of Honor.
• Royal Parade, Work Dance, Horse Riding, and Homage Featuring Egba Chiefs, Baales, associations, clubs, societies, youths, and festival committee members.
• Scholarship and Award Presentations Including recognition of Adire Bonanza winners and scholarship presentation by Egba National Association, USA/Canada.

Egbaliganza

Ẹ̀gbáliganza began as a cultural call to memory, a bold move to reposition Ẹ̀gbá heritage at the forefront of contemporary expression. What started as a vision to showcase the elegance of Egba fashion has evolved into a full-scale cultural movement with global relevance, with an unfolding narrative that celebrates the people, places, practices, and pride of the Egba identity.

• Mr. & Miss Lisabi Cultural Pageant The official crowning of the Mr. & Miss Lisabi Cultural Pageant 2026 was performed by His Royal Majesty, Oba (Dr.) Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, the Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, at the revered Ake Palace.
• Musical Performances and Youth Concert Featuring Chief Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi and other cultural and contemporary music acts.
• Thanksgiving Service March 29, 2026, at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Ake, Abeokuta, followed by a reception at Ake Palace.
• Traditional Oro Display Scheduled for midnight as part of the closing cultural observances.

Festival Significance

The Lisabi Festival remains one of the most important cultural events in Egbaland. It celebrates the legacy of Lisabi Agbongbo Akala, the unity of the Egba people, and the values of courage, self-reliance, hard work, education, and community development.

This year’s theme places special focus on youth development, technical skills, vocational training, and the need to reconnect education with practical apprenticeship. Through cultural displays, academic competitions, trade fairs, charity initiatives, traditional ceremonies, and public celebrations, the 39th Lisabi Festival will strengthen the bond between heritage and progress.