Ita-Ajero Festival Gains Official Recognition, Fixes August 21 for 2026 Celebration

By Idowu Adebomi, Ado Ekiti

The historic Ita-Ajero Festival of Ijero-Ekiti has secured formal recognition from the Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development, a move expected to strengthen Nigeria’s cultural tourism drive and elevate the festival’s status within the country’s growing heritage calendar.

The recognition followed the official registration of the festival in compliance with the Ekiti State Tourism Law, which mandates the registration and formal documentation of cultural and tourism events across the state.

The formalisation was concluded during a courtesy visit by representatives of the festival management committee and the Ajero-in-Council to the Director-General of the Bureau of Tourism Development, Barrister Wale Ojo-Lanre.

Receiving the delegation in Ado-Ekiti, Ojo-Lanre described the Ita-Ajero Festival as a cultural institution that reflects the depth of Yoruba heritage, noting that the event goes beyond celebration to represent the history, traditions and collective identity of the people.

According to him, the festival has the potential to become a major cultural tourism attraction capable of drawing visitors from across Nigeria and the global Yoruba diaspora.

The delegation included members of the festival committee, Mrs. Fadekemi Oguntuase and Mrs. Monisola Akano, who formally submitted the registration request and informed the Bureau of the festival’s scheduled date.

Organisers announced that the 2026 edition of the Ita-Ajero Festival will hold on August 21, 2026, and sought the Bureau’s endorsement and collaboration to ensure a globally competitive cultural event.

Speaking on behalf of the Owa Ajero of Ijero-Ekiti, Oba Joseph Ajewole, the festival committee expressed appreciation to the Bureau for its support and guidance in the registration process.

Oguntuase noted that the festival plays an important role in preserving cultural heritage, promoting community development and strengthening social cohesion among indigenes of Ijero-Ekiti both at home and in the diaspora.

Ojo-Lanre further disclosed that the event is expected to attract prominent dignitaries, cultural enthusiasts and thousands of sons and daughters of Ijero-Ekiti from different parts of Nigeria and abroad.

He projected that attendance could exceed 14,000 participants, positioning the festival among the major cultural gatherings in Ekiti State and the broader Yoruba cultural landscape.

The visit ended with a group photograph, symbolising renewed collaboration between the state tourism authorities and the festival organisers in advancing structured and globally competitive cultural tourism development.