Today, Saturday, December 27, 2025, Lagos Island is standing still (that’s a warning if you hate traffic) for the Eyo Festival 2025, one of the most sacred and visually striking cultural events in Nigeria.
After eight years, the white-clad masquerades are back, turning major parts of Lagos Island into a slow-moving river of history, chants, drums, and palm-frond staffs. If you’re seeing roads closed, people walking barefoot, and thousands dressed in white like a celestial link up, relax! You’re exactly where you’re supposed to be.
This isn’t a concert. It’s not Detty December. It’s Lagos remembering who it is. 
What Is the Eyo Festival (And Why It’s a Big Deal)?
The Eyo Festival, also called the Adamu Orisha Play, is a traditional Yoruba ceremony unique to Lagos. It is held to honour the passing of Obas, chiefs, and distinguished Lagosians, and to escort their spirits to the afterlife symbolically.
The first recorded Eyo procession happened in 1854, staged for Oba Akintoye. Since then, it has appeared only when tradition demands, sometimes disappearing for decades. That rarity is why every Eyo Festival feels special.
This year’s festival honours four towering figures in Lagos history:
- Abibatu Mogaji (mother of President Bola Tinubu and former Market Leader ‘Iyaloja’ of Lagos State)
- Brigadier-General Mobolaji Johnson (Lagos’ first military governor)
- Lateef Jakande (the state’s first civilian Governor)
- Michael Otedola (former governor during the Third Republic)
READ ALSO: 10 Free or Low-Cost Places to Have Family Fun This Christmas in Lagos
The Eyo Masquerades: Who’s Who in White
Each Eyo masquerade is dressed head-to-toe in flowing white robes (agbada on top, aropale below) with no skin visible. They carry Opambata (palm-frond staffs) and wear distinct hats that identify any of the Big Five groups:
- Adimu – Black hats (the senior group)
- Laba – Red
- Oniko – Yellow
- Ologede – Green
- Agere – Purple
Each group emerges from a royal palace (Iga) and performs specific ritual duties throughout the week leading up to today. When Adimu appeared last Sunday with its staff, it was Lagos’ official “mark your calendar” moment.
Rules You Must Follow (This Is Not a Suggestion)
The Eyo masquerades are friendly, until you disrespect tradition. Then they are very ‘educational’ with their staff.
Here are things that are absolutely banned today:
- Shoes, sandals, or slippers (yes, you must go barefoot)
- Hats, caps, headties, or gele (Muslim prayer caps are allowed)
- Shuku hairstyle (ladies, loosen it or stay home)
- Smoking of any kind
- Riding bikes or motorcycles
- Umbrellas
- Taking selfies with Eyos
- Photographing sacred Orishas
You can take photos of the masquerades themselves, just don’t turn it into a Vogue shoot or block their movement.
Where It All Happens (And Why Traffic Is Wild)
The festival is traditionally staged on Lagos Island, with the procession running from Idumota through Iga Idunganran Palace and climaxing at Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS).
Because of this, the Lagos State Government has enforced major traffic diversions, affecting:
- Third Mainland Bridge exits to Adeniji Adele
- Sura, Obalende, and Idumota axes
- Simpson Bridge routes
Alternative routes have been provided via Dolphin Road, Falomo Bridge, Ozumba Mbadiwe, and Lekki-Epe Expressway. If you’re driving, leave early. If you’re not patient, don’t drive at all.
Why Eyo Festival 2025 Hits Different
This is the first time in history that the Eyo Festival is happening in December, right in the middle of the festive season. Lagos State has also unveiled a nearly 40-foot Eyo Monument at the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History in Onikan, cementing Eyo’s status as a global cultural symbol.
In short, Lagos is telling the world: this culture isn’t old. It’s back!
What to Expect If You Go
Expect slow movement, massive crowds, spiritual energy, drums, chants, and white everywhere. Also, eat before you come, dress light, respect the rules, and remember, today, Lagos isn’t trying to be Instagrammable. The city is performing for history.
If you witness it, you’ll understand why the Eyo Festival doesn’t happen often and why it never needs to.
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