The Oyo State Government has begun preparations for the 2026 International Egungun Festival by seeking traditional blessings. Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun, the state's Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, led a delegation from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to the palace of the Ekerin Olubadan of Ibadanland, HRM Oba Adebayo Akande, MFR. During the courtesy visit, Olatunbosun emphasized the festival's significance in promoting cultural heritage and tourism. The Ekerin Olubadan, in response, pledged support for the event, highlighting its potential to boost Ibadan's cultural profile.
Olatunbosun's move to secure royal endorsement upfront exposes how state-led cultural projects now depend on traditional institutions for legitimacy. For Nigerians, this signals that festivals like Egungun are no longer just cultural celebrations but economic ventures requiring elite buy-in to thrive.
