Olubadan Cautions Women, Adherents As 2026 Oloolu Festival Begins Monday

By RhemDy News 

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Adewolu Ladoja, has announced that the 2026 Oloolu Masquerade Festival will begin on Monday, July 27, 2026.

The renowned masquerade is expected to visit different locations across the sprawling city during the period. 

Oba Ladoja, who made the announcement via a statement on Friday by his Chief Press Secretary, Chief Solomon Ayoade, also urged residents of the Oyo State capital to maintain peace throughout the celebration.

The monarch also warned women against seeing the Oloolu masquerade, describing it as a taboo under the tradition of Ibadanland.

“Women must not see the Oloolu masquerade, as it remains a taboo according to the tradition of Ibadanland. Likewise, photographs and videos of the masquerade should not be taken,” he said.

Oba Ladoja reminded the women that it is also prohibited to take photographs or videos of the masquerade.

The four-day festival will begin with the eve of the celebration on Monday, July 27 while the Oloolu masquerade will first pay a courtesy visit to the Olubadan at his palace in Oke-Aremo, Ibadan, where prayers will be offered for the monarch, members of the Olubadan-in-Council, indigenes, residents and the overall peace and prosperity of Ibadanland.

The masquerade will later visit the residence of the Otun Olubadan, Oba (Sir) Eddy Oyewole, in Foko area of Ibadan.

The Mogaji of Ile Aje, Ode-Aje Oloolu Compound, Chief Kazeem Omotoso Abija, said the masquerade would, on Tuesday, July 28, pay a courtesy visit to 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 Oloolu masquerade will on Wednesday visit Ojagbo, Alafara Olubadan, Ita-Bale, Ogboriefon, Labo and Kobomoje before the grand finale on Thursday when the masquerade will visit Ile-Aperin, Agugu, Iyana Idi-Iroko, Awotunde Jegede, Itamerin-Gangansi and Babanla.

While congratulating the masquerade, indigenes and residents of Ibadanland on witnessing this year’s festival, Oba Ladoja called for peaceful conduct throughout the celebration.

The Olubadan also charged, “All stakeholders should give peace a chance and desist from any activity capable of causing crisis or a breakdown of law and order during the festival".

He further called on security agencies to remain vigilant and ensure adequate protection of lives and property throughout the celebration.

The monarch noted that the ongoing Ibadan Egungun Festival, which began on June 21, 2026, will officially end on Thursday, July 30, with the grand finale of the Oloolu Masquerade Festival.

According to the palace, the final procession is intended to offer prayers for God’s continued protection, peace, unity, progress and development of Ibadanland.