Olubadan Issues Restrictions Ahead of Monday's Oloolu Festival, Bars Women from Viewing Masquerade

The Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Rashidi Ladoja, has warned residents and visitors against taking photographs, filming or recording the Oloolu Masquerade during the 2026 Oloolu Festival, stressing that doing so violates the traditions of Ibadanland.

The monarch also reiterated that women are forbidden from seeing the Oloolu Masquerade, describing it as a long-standing taboo that must be respected throughout the annual festival.

The warning was contained in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Olubadan, Chief Ayoade Olugbemiga, announcing the programme of activities for the four-day festival scheduled to begin on Monday, July 27, and end on Thursday, July 30, 2026.

According to the statement, the festival will commence with Aisun Odun Oloolu (festival eve), during which the Oloolu Masquerade will pay a courtesy visit to the Olubadan at his Oke-Aremo Palace for prayers for the monarch, members of the Olubadan-in-Council, indigenes, residents and the continued peace and prosperity of Ibadanland. The masquerade will also visit the residence of the Otun Olubadan, Oba (Sir) Eddy Oyewole, at Foko.

On Tuesday, July 28, the masquerade, led by the Mogaji Ile Aje, Ode-Aje Oloolu Compound, Chief Kazeem Omotoso Abija, is scheduled to visit Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde at the Government House, Agodi, before proceeding through Aliiwo, Yemetu, Oje Market, Isale-Afa, Oke-Aremo, Popo-Yemoja, Bode Market, Molete, Isale-Ijebu, Elekuro, Kobomoje and Oranmiyan.

The procession will continue on Wednesday, July 29, with visits to Ojagbo, Alafara Olubadan, Ita-Bale, Ogboriefon, Labo and Kobomoje, while the grand finale on Thursday, July 30, will include visits to Ile-Aperin, Agugu, Iyana Idi-Iroko, Awotunde Jegede, Itamerin-Gangansi and Babanla.

Oba Ladoja congratulated the Oloolu Masquerade, indigenes and residents of Ibadanland on this year's celebration and urged all stakeholders to ensure a peaceful festival.

He warned Oloolu Masquerade devotees, other Egungun leaders and their followers, adherents of various religions and members of the public to refrain from acts capable of causing unrest or a breakdown of law and order during the festivities.

The monarch also called on security agencies to remain vigilant and ensure the protection of lives and property throughout the celebration.

He noted that the Oloolu Festival marks the conclusion of the 2026 Ibadan Egungun Festival, which began on June 21, with the traditional visits of the Oloolu Masquerade offering prayers for peace, security, unity and the continued development of Ibadanland.