Alaafin Lowers Oro Festival Restriction For Students Writing BECE

By RhemDy News 

The Alaafin of Oyo Kingdom, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade 1, has approved a slight modification in this year's Oro Festival, holding from 23 to 29 July, 2026.

According to a statement by the Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin, Bode Durojaiye, the modification considered the students writing the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) for Junior Secondary School 3.

BECE is an examiniation required for Junior Secondary School students  to transition to Senior Secondary School.

The examination coincides with this year's annual Oro festival.

BECE is administered by State Ministries of Education, the West African Examination Council (WAEC) or the National Examination Council (NECO), depending on the region.

Announcing the new development in the festival, the Baale of Jabata, Chief Orowale Ajani, notified female students that restrictions of movement placed on them on the last day of the festival, July 29, has been shifted till 5 pm, to enable concerned pupils write the national examinations.

RhemDy News earlier reported that Chief Ajani had announced that the male-only festival will begin on Thursday, July 23, 2026. 

Chief Ajani, whose family is the custodian of the all-male Oro deity made the announcement via a viral audio note shared with RhemDy News on Wednesday.

"I am Orowole Ajani, the Baale of Jabata, Oyo Alaafin. Oro festival will commence on July 23 and will end on the 29th which is the day of curfew. Oro will head to the Palace at 5pm. This is for the notice of everyone," the traditional Chief announced.

Oro is a Yoruba sacred deity and patriarchal, revered as the god of communal justice and ancestors which is celebrated across Southwestern part of Nigeria, particularly among adherents in Oyo, Iseyin, and Ibadan, all in Oyo State.

Oro features secret nighttime processions, the use of bullroarers to produce a high-pitched whirring sound, and strict curfews.

It is a severe taboo for women and non-initiates to see the Oro deity or witness the procession which makes the early notice for women to remain indoors, especially during the curfew period.

Considering that breaking this rule is traditionally believed to have severe consequences, females are strictly warned to remain indoors during the curfew.

Director of Media and Publicity to the Alaafin, Bode Durojaiye who confirmed the schedule, also reminded female residents of the town to strictly observed the restrictions from 5 pm on the final day of the festival.

"Female residents should note that  movement restrictions placed on them will commence by 5 pm on the 29th, the last day of the festival," Durojaiye said in a short statement.