Ekiti State Governor, Biodun Oyebanji, has called for the expansion and rebranding of the annual Udiroko Festival in Ado-Ekiti to make it a major cultural and economic platform capable of creating jobs, attracting investment and generating wealth for the people of the state.
Oyebanji, who spoke on Wednesday at the 2026 Udiroko Festival, held at the palace of the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Adeyemo Adejugbe, said the festival had grown beyond an annual cultural gathering and should now be deliberately developed into a major tourism and economic event while preserving its historical significance, cultural values and traditions.
The festival had the theme “Udiroko as the Signpost of Our History, Tradition and Cultural Values”.
The governor, who described the festival as an important symbol of the identity and heritage of Ado-Ekiti, said his administration would work with the revered traditional ruler and the organising committee to explore ways of repositioning it for greater economic impact.
Oyebanji said, “This Udiroko Festival is no longer just an annual festival for Ado-Ekiti but an Ekiti festival; it has become an iconic festival. We need to sit down with the committee and find a way of expanding it while preserving its history and tradition.
“We should also use this festival as an avenue to create wealth and employment. I am confident that by the time I leave office in 2030, we will have been able to rebrand this festival and make it much bigger and more impactful.”
Oyebanji said the state government was committed to supporting initiatives that promote Ekiti’s cultural heritage, tourism and economic development, stressing that cultural festivals could serve as important drivers of local enterprise and employment when properly packaged and promoted.
He commended Oba Adejugbe for his wisdom and support for his administration over the past four years, adding that the first-class traditional ruler had demonstrated commitment not only to Ado-Ekiti but to the entire state.
The governor also expressed appreciation to the people of Ado-Ekiti for their support during the June 20 governorship election, saying their confidence in his administration had further strengthened his commitment to serving the people.
He urged the people of Ekiti to continue supporting the administration of President Bola Tinubu, particularly as the 2027 presidential election approaches, arguing that the state had benefited from the President’s interventions and support.
He added that the Udiroko Festival would continue to provide an opportunity for the people of Ado-Ekiti, particularly the younger generation, to reconnect with their cultural roots while creating opportunities for businesses, artisans, hospitality operators and other economic players.
Speaking, Oba Adejugbe, while congratulating the sons and daughters of the community on the success of the year’s ceremony, noted that the Udiroko Festival had, over the years, grown into a unique gathering that preserves the rich culture and traditions of the people.
According to him, “That ancient mandate given under an Iroko tree has matured and evolved over the decades to become not just a cultural showpiece but also a tourist attraction that galvanises the whole of Ado-Ekiti Kingdom, its sons and daughters, as well as our friends and well-wishers from around the world.”
The traditional ruler declared that the community had witnessed tremendous progress and improvements across all sectors, appealing to individuals and organisations to invest in the state to create employment opportunities for youths and improve the state’s economy.
Oba Adejugbe, who commended President Tinubu for his reforms and efforts to stabilise the nation’s economy, advocated more decisive action to tackle the security challenges confronting the country.
“It is increasingly obvious that the security agencies must employ technology, craftiness and ruthless sophistication to arrest the unrepentant onslaught of these bandits all over the country,” Oba Adejugbe said.