Excitement As Kwara Horse Show Debuts

The inaugural edition of the Kwara Horse Show was met with a wave of excitement and festivity.
The venue for this cultural showcase—the Sports Arena of Queen Elizabeth School in Ilorin, the state capital—was filled to capacity on Sunday, 16th November 2025, as the event made its debut.

The vibrant ceremony attracted prominent government officials, traditional rulers, and industry leaders, who were captivated by the young and enthusiastic horse riders.

From horse parades to women’s horse racing, horse drop ball, and horse ball events, the Kwara Horse Show opened a new chapter for equestrian activities, establishing a benchmark for blending youth engagement with cultural heritage.

Asmau Ibrahim triumphed over her competitors to win the women’s horse race, while Habeebat Abdulganiyu secured the grand prize of a magnificent horse during the raffle draw.

In a fiercely contested horse drop ball event, Sulaiman Aminu emerged victorious, while the Ilorin Emirate Horse Royal Heritage Team defeated Kwara Stallion 4–3 to claim victory in the exciting horse ball competition.

Winners of the raffle draw and exceptional horse riders were also awarded prizes.
Speaking at the event, Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, represented by Bola Magaji, the Executive Chairman of the Kwara State Sports Commission, commended the organisers of the horse show.

The governor remarked that the event complements efforts to sustain Ilorin’s rich cultural heritage, tracing the history of the Ilorin Emirate Durbar back to 1930, when it was first staged to celebrate the conquest of the Old Oyo Empire.

He highlighted that the horse show serves as a platform to remind younger generations of the cultural traditions of their ancestors.

Dr. Jamilah Atata, Chairman of the main organising committee, stated that the event was more than just a sports display, describing it as the realisation of a vision rooted in collaboration, resilience, and a shared purpose.

She noted that the programme “stands as a testament to what can be achieved when visionary leadership, community support, and collective determination come together.”

“I urge all stakeholders to remain engaged as we look forward to making the Kwara Horse Show an annual international event, with plans to introduce polo in future editions,” she added.

In his remarks, the convener of the event, Bolaji Magaji-Nda, expressed gratitude to the Kwara State government for sponsoring the event.

He also thanked the traditional rulers and partners for their support, which he noted contributed to the event’s remarkable success.

The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, who was represented by Alhaji Muhammad Jamiu Adebayo, Magaji Ngeri of Ilorin, emphasised the importance of the horse show in promoting Kwara’s cultural values and preserving its heritage.

The day’s chairman, the Oloro of Oro, Oba Joel Olaniyi Oyatoye, pledged to facilitate the participation of the Kwara Horse Show team at the Asa Day Worldwide International event in Canada in August 2026—an initiative he has personally championed for years, held annually in both Canada and Nigeria.