Oyo State to Celebrate 50 Years with Carnival, Symposium, Awards
By Adewale Owoade
The Oyo State Government has unveiled a comprehensive programme of activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the creation of the state.
The Chairman of the Oyo State @ 50 Anniversary Committee and former two-term member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Saheed Akinade-Fijabi, made this known during a press briefing held at the Governor’s Office Briefing Room, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.
Akinade-Fijabi said the golden jubilee celebration is aimed at celebrating Oyo State’s five decades of growth, development, cultural heritage and resilience.
According to him, the anniversary is a collective celebration for all residents of the state, providing an opportunity to reflect on shared values, cultural expressions and to give thanks for the progress recorded by the Pacesetter State over the years.
He disclosed that the Oyo State @ 50 celebration will commence with an opening ceremony at 10 a.m. on Monday, January 26, 2026, at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, where Governor Seyi Makinde is expected to formally declare the activities open.
The celebration will continue on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, with two major events — a Health Outreach and a Film Show.
The Health Outreach, he said, will be conducted across the 33 local government areas of the state and will focus on residents aged 50 years and above, as well as others in need of medical attention.
The Film Show will take place in Ibadan, Ibarapa, Oyo, Ogbomosho, Oke-Ogun I and Oke-Ogun II, aimed at reliving Oyo State’s rich legacy in theatre and entertainment.
On Wednesday, January 28, 2026, an anniversary carnival walk will be held, featuring artisans, students, traders and other residents, who will walk from the historic Mapo Hall to the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan.
One of the major highlights of the celebration is a symposium scheduled for Thursday, January 29, 2026, at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, with the theme: “Consolidating the Legacy: Navigating the Present and Reimagining the Future.”
The symposium will feature Prof. Olu Ajakaiye as the lead speaker, alongside other distinguished speakers including Prof. Olanrewaju Olaniyan, Prof. Dikirulahi Yagboyaju and Dr. Durodola Kamoru Ogunsesan.
Religious activities will follow on Friday, January 30, 2026, with a Jumat Service at the Ibadan Central Mosque, while an Isese service for traditional worshippers will hold on Saturday.
Akinade-Fijabi further disclosed that a novelty football match will take place on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, between a team led by Governor Makinde and another led by Oyo State-born football legend, Mutiu Adepoju.
On Sunday, February 1, 2026, a Thanksgiving Service will hold at St. Peter’s Cathedral, Aremo, Ibadan. This will be followed by an event tagged “An Afternoon with the Elderly and Persons Living With Disabilities (PLWD),” scheduled for the Omololu Olunloyo Park, Airport Road, Ibadan.
Activities will continue on Monday, February 2, 2026, when the Wife of the Governor, Her Excellency, Engr. (Mrs.) Tamunominini Makinde, will visit selected primary and secondary schools across the state to present gifts to pupils and students.
In the evening, she will host a special programme to celebrate and empower women as part of the anniversary activities.
The celebration will climax on Tuesday, February 3, 2026 — exactly 50 years after the creation of Oyo State on February 3, 1976 — with a Gala and Award Night to honour the 17 former Governors and Military Administrators who have served the state, as well as distinguished indigenes and non-indigenes who have contributed significantly to the state’s development.
The event will take place at the newly built Banquet Hall, Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.
Akinade-Fijabi called on indigenes and residents of Oyo State, both at home and in the diaspora, to actively participate in the golden jubilee celebrations.
The press briefing was attended by the Secretary of the Committee, Mrs. Aderonke Adedayo; Executive Assistant to the Governor on Finance, Budget and Economic Planning, Alhaji Gafar Bello; Special Adviser to the Governor on Media, Dr. Sulaimon Olanrewaju; and the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Broadcast, Mrs. Bosede Sodiq.
