The 2026 Oloolu Masquerade Festival will commence on Monday, July 27, with the traditional eve celebration, ‘Aisun Odun’ Oloolu, the Olubadan Palace has announced.
In a statement issued Friday by the Chief Press Secretary to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Ayoade Solomon Olugbemiga, the festival will run for four days and end on Thursday, July 30, 2026.
According to the itinerary released by Mogaji Ile Aje, Ode-Aje Oloolu Compound, Chief Kazeem Omotoso Abija, Oloolu will on Monday visit His Imperial Majesty, Oba (Dr) Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja (Arusa I) at the Olubadan Palace in Oke-Aremo to offer prayers for the monarch, council members, indigenes and residents of Ibadanland. The masquerade will also visit the residence of the Otun Olubadan, Oba (Sir) Eddy Oyewole, at Foko.
On Tuesday, July 28, Oloolu is scheduled to visit Governor Seyi Makinde at the Government House, Agodi, before proceeding to Aliiwo, Yemetu, Oje Market, Isale-Afa, Oke-Aremo, Popo-Yemoja, Bode Market, Molete, Isale-Ijebu, Elekuro, Kobomoje and Oranmiyan.
The masquerade will visit Ojagbo, Alafara Olubadan, Ita-Bale, Ogboriefon, Labo and Kobomoje on Wednesday, July 29. The grand finale on Thursday, July 30, will take Oloolu to Ile-Aperin, Agugu, Iyana Idi-Iroko, Awotunde Jegede, Itamerin-Gangansi and Babanla.
Oba Ladoja congratulated the people of Ibadanland for witnessing the festival and called for “absolute peace” throughout the period.
He warned that it is taboo for women to see Oloolu and that taking photographs or videos of the masquerade is prohibited. He also cautioned Oloolu leaders, other Egungun groups, religious adherents and the public against any act capable of causing a breakdown of law and order.
The Olubadan urged law enforcement agencies to ensure the protection of lives and property during the festival.
The Oloolu festival marks the grand finale of the Ibadan Egungun Festival, which began on Sunday, June 21, 2026. It is aimed at offering prayers for the security, peace, unity, progress and development of Ibadanland.
