…2026 Lisabi Festival Committee unveils 13-day programme of cultural, sporting and educational activities
The organising committee of the 2026 39th Lisabi Festival has unveiled activities lined up for the annual cultural celebration, with this year’s edition themed “Integrating Apprenticeship Training into Education: Opportunities and Challenges.”
The festival, which celebrates the legendary Egba hero, Lisabi Agbongbo Akala, is held annually to honour his bravery, leadership and sacrifice in defending the independence and dignity of the Egba people.
Through traditional rites, drumming, cultural displays and prayers, the festival promotes Egba heritage and attracts indigenes from across Nigeria and the diaspora to Abeokuta, the Egba homeland.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Ake Palace on Monday to herald the 13-day celebration, Chairman of the Organising Committee, Chief Rasheed Raji, congratulated Egba indigenes at home and abroad as preparations begin for the festival.
Raji explained that the programme will commence on Tuesday, March 17, 2026 with the final of the secondary school quiz and debate competition at Centenary Hall.
According to him, exhibitions will hold between March 18 and 20 at the Amphitheatre, Ake Palace, while chieftaincy installations are scheduled for Saturday, March 21.
Activities on Sunday, March 22 will feature the Ipate Agbongboakala (Lisabi Trade Fair) at the Amphitheatre, Ake Palace.
The committee chairman added that Monday, March 23 will include the ceremonial booming of guns at Olumo Rock, public mobilisation by women and youths at Ake Palace, the traditional Ayo game at Adire Hall, the semi-final of the community football competition at Muda Lawal Stadium, Asero, and the final wrestling competition at Centenary Hall.
He further explained that activities on March 24 and 25 will include the continuation of the trade fair, exhibitions of Egba arts and crafts, charity donations to patients at Oba Gbadebo Memorial Hospital in Isale-Ijeun, and a free eye test organised by the Egba Descendants Community Association.
A seminar on the theme of the festival, “Integrating Apprenticeship Training into Education: Opportunities and Challenges,” will hold at Adire Hall on March 25, alongside the final of the Lisabi community football competition at the MKO Abiola Sports Complex, Kuto.
Raji said the festival would also feature a procession of traditional rulers, chiefs, baales and other dignitaries to Igbo Lisabi on March 26, as well as a medical outreach.
He added that March 27 will feature a visit to Olumo Rock with a stopover at the Itoku Cenotaph, a Jumu’at service at the Egba Central Mosque, Kobiti, a dinner and awards ceremony at Adire Hall, as well as the unveiling of the Lisabi-Alaje-Egbaliganza Drum and recognition of diplomats.
The grand finale of the festival will take place on Saturday, March 28 at the Amphitheatre, Ake Palace, while a thanksgiving service will hold on Sunday, March 29 at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Ake, Abeokuta.
Raji assured residents and visitors of adequate security throughout the celebration.
In his remarks, the Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, said the festival remains a symbol of the unity, resilience and progressive spirit of the Egba people.
“Let it be sounded and richly re-echoed from the four corners of the universe that our season of genuine celebration has arrived with its pomp and pageantry,” the monarch said.
He noted that the festival continues to showcase the cultural heritage of Egbaland while inspiring future generations to sustain the values of courage, hard work and progress exemplified by their forebears.
Oba Gbadebo added that Egbaland remains proud of its rich heritage, which successive generations have continued to strengthen and promote on the global stage.
