Oyo Set To Mark 50th Anniversary

Oyo State government has concluded plans to mark the 50th anniversary of the state’s creation.

The chairman of the Oyo State @ 50 Anniversary Committee and former two-term member of the House of Representatives, Hon Saheed Akinade-Fijabi, unveiled the activities at a press briefing held at the Governor’s Office Briefing Room, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan.

He noted that the anniversary is to celebrate the state’s 50 years of solid growth, development, cultural heritage, and resilience.

According to the Chairman, the golden jubilee is a collective celebration for all the people and residents of Oyo State, noting that it provides an opportunity to reflect on the state’s shared values and cultural expression, and an avenue for thanksgiving for how far the Pacesetter State has come.

Akinade-Fijabi noted that the Oyo State @ 50 anniversary celebration will begin with an opening ceremony scheduled for 10 a.m. on Monday, 26th January, 2026, at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, as Governor Seyi Makinde is expected to declare the events open.

He added that the celebration will continue on Tuesday, 27th January, 2026, with two major events, namely, Health Outreach and Film Show.

The Health Outreach, he said, will target residents who are 50 years-old and above as well as other people who may need medical attention and it will take place across all the 33 local government areas of the state, while the Film Show will take place in Ibadan, Ibarapa, Oyo, Ogbomoso, Oke Ogun I and Oke Ogun II to relive the memories of Oyo’s pride of place in theatre and entertainment.

On Wednesday, 28th January, 2026, an anniversary carnival walk will be held, with artisans, students, traders and other residents of the state moving from the historic Mapo Hall to Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan.

One of the major highlights of the Oyo State @ 50 anniversary celebration is the symposium scheduled to hold on Thursday, 29th January, at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, with the theme: “Consolidating the Legacy: Navigating the Present and Reimagining the Future.”

According to him, the lead speaker is Prof. Olu Ajakaiye. Other guest speakers are: Prof Olanrewaju Olaniyan, Prof. Dikirulahi Yagboyaju and Dr Durodola Kamoru Ogunsesan.