Speaking at a press briefing held at the Governor’s Office Briefing Room, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, Chairman of the Oyo State @ 50 Anniversary Committee and former member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Saheed Akinade-Fijabi, said the golden jubilee is designed as a collective celebration for all residents of the state.
“This anniversary is to celebrate Oyo State’s five decades of solid growth, development, rich cultural heritage and resilience,” Akinade-Fijabi said. “It is a collective celebration for all the people and residents of the state and an opportunity to reflect on our shared values and cultural expressions.”
He added that the celebration also provides an avenue for thanksgiving, noting that Oyo State has remained true to its reputation as the Pacesetter State.
“This milestone allows us to thank God for how far Oyo State has come and to reaffirm our commitment to building a stronger future,” he stated.
According to the committee chairman, the celebration will commence on Monday, January 26, 2026, with an opening ceremony scheduled for 10:00 a.m. at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan, where Governor Seyi Makinde is expected to officially declare the events open.
Akinade-Fijabi disclosed that activities will continue on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, with a statewide health outreach and a film show.
“The health outreach will focus mainly on residents who are 50 years and above, as well as other citizens who require medical attention, and it will be carried out across all the 33 local government areas of the state,” he explained.
He noted that the film show will hold across Ibadan, Ibarapa, Oyo, Ogbomoso, Oke Ogun I and Oke Ogun II zones.
“This is to relive the memories of Oyo State’s pride of place in theatre and entertainment,” he said.
The committee chairman further revealed that an anniversary carnival walk will take place on Wednesday, January 28, 2026, with artisans, students, traders and other residents moving from the historic Mapo Hall to the Lekan Salami Sports Complex, Adamasingba, Ibadan.
One of the major highlights of the celebration, he said, is the anniversary symposium slated for Thursday, January 29, 2026, at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan.
“The symposium, themed ‘Consolidating the Legacy: Navigating the Present and Reimagining the Future,’ will bring together seasoned academics and policy experts to interrogate our past and chart a sustainable future for the state,” Akinade-Fijabi said.
He announced Prof. Olu Ajakaiye as the lead speaker, with Prof. Olanrewaju Olaniyan, Prof. Dikirulahi Yagboyaju and Dr. Durodola Kamoru Ogunsesan as guest speakers.
According to him, religious activities will follow with a Jumat service at the Ibadan Central Mosque on Friday, January 30, 2026, while an Isese service will be held on Saturday for traditional worshippers. He added that a novelty football match will also take place on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan.
“The novelty match will be between a team led by Governor Seyi Makinde and another led by football icon of Oyo State extraction, Mutiu Adepoju,” he said.
Akinade-Fijabi disclosed that a thanksgiving service will hold on Sunday, February 1, 2026, at St. Peter’s Cathedral, Aremo, Ibadan, followed by an event tagged ‘An Afternoon with the Elderly and Persons Living With Disabilities’ at the Omololu Olunloyo Park, Airport Road, Ibadan.
He added that on Monday, February 2, 2026, 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, as well as host an empowerment programme for women later in the day.
The committee chairman revealed that the grand finale will hold on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, marking exactly 50 years since the creation of Oyo State on February 3, 1976.“
On that day, the state will host a Gala and Award Night to honour the 17 former Governors and Military Administrators of Oyo State, as well as indigenes and non-indigenes who have contributed immensely to the growth and development of the state,” he said.
He called on all indigenes and residents of Oyo State, including those in the diaspora, to participate actively in the golden jubilee celebrations.
The press briefing was attended by the Secretary of the Anniversary 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 Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Broadcast, Mrs Bosede Sadiq.
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