As the Egungun Festival continues to animate the cultural landscape of Ibadanland, all eyes are now on the revered Oloolu Masquerade, whose four-day procession is scheduled to begin on Monday, July 28, 2025, and end on Thursday, July 31, 2025.
In a press statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Chief Ayoade Solomon Olugbemiga, on behalf of the palace, the Oloolu Masquerade was described as the most spiritually significant and culturally feared figure in the Egungun festival.
The statement noted that the masquerade’s itinerary would include visits to strategic cultural and political institutions such as the Oyo State Government House, Agodi, and the Olubadan Palace at Oke-Aremo.
Highlighting a major feature of this year’s procession, Chief Olugbemiga disclosed that, “The Oloolu will pay a symbolic royal visit to the Olubadan-designate, Oba (Senator) Rasidi Adewolu Ladoja, reinforcing the spiritual synergy between Ibadan’s traditional religious institutions and its royal heritage.”
However, the palace reiterated a longstanding cultural taboo: women are strictly forbidden from encountering the Oloolu Masquerade. The statement warned that crossing paths with the Oloolu is considered a “grave spiritual violation” and urged all women to keep away from the masquerade’s route for their safety and in respect of cultural values.
Amid preparations, the palace called on law enforcement agencies to ensure the security of lives and property throughout the event. “We urge security personnel to be proactive and vigilant in maintaining peace and order, as criminal activities have occasionally tainted the spiritual celebration,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Oyo State has also issued a public safety advisory for corps members, particularly women, serving in Ibadan.
Speaking through a statement on Saturday, Mrs Abimbola Faniyi, Head of the Information and Public Relations Unit of NYSC Oyo, emphasized that many female corps members are unfamiliar with local traditions and could unknowingly violate cultural norms during the festival.
“The Oloolu Masquerade is scheduled to pass through several major areas, including Oje, Gate, Oja-Oba, Ayeye, Orita-Merin, Beere, Oranyan, Idi-Arere, Agugu, Oke-Aremo, Oremeji, and the Olubadan Palace,” she said.
Faniyi warned that it is “forbidden for females/women to see the masquerade,” stressing the importance of total compliance. “We strongly advise all our female corps members to avoid these areas and not attempt to take photos or videos of the masquerade during the procession,” she added.
She also urged the leadership of transport unions in the state to instruct their drivers to avoid routing corps members through high-risk zones during the festival.
“Corps members must follow local advice and adhere to instructions from community leaders and security personnel. The NYSC under the leadership of Mr Peters Kayode remains committed to the welfare and safety of all corps members,” Faniyi assured.
