The Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi, is expected to lead traditional rulers from across the South-West to Ijero Ekiti, Ekiti State, for the 2026 Ita Ajero Festival.

The Owa Ajero of Ijero Ekiti, Oba Joseph Adebayo, disclosed this on Monday while unveiling activities for the third edition of the annual cultural festival scheduled for August 21.

Adebayo said the festival was established to preserve Yoruba history, strengthen cultural identity and promote unity among the Yoruba people.

He explained that Ita Ajero was rooted in the historical relationship between Ijero and Ile-Ife, where descendants of Oduduwa were traditionally said to have gathered to deliberate on issues affecting their communities.

The monarch said the Ooni’s involvement in the festival had further highlighted its historical significance, recalling that Ogunwusi had previously led representatives of Ijero to the original Ita Ajero site in Ile-Ife.

According to him, the modern version of the festival was conceived following a 2023 summit of Ijero indigenes in Texas, United States, where participants from different parts of the world resolved to establish an annual celebration that would reconnect the community with its ancestral heritage.

The first edition was held in 2024, while the second followed in 2025.

Adebayo said this year’s celebration had been aligned with the traditional Ogun Festival to reflect the deity’s significance in Yoruba civilisation, particularly in warfare, protection, agriculture and craftsmanship.

He also urged Ijero indigenes in Nigeria and the diaspora to return home for the celebration, assuring visitors of adequate security.

The Secretary of the Ita Ajero Festival Foundation, High Chief Ayo Afolabi, said activities for the 2026 edition would commence on August 18 and end with the grand finale on August 21 at Erekesen Market Square.

He listed the programmes to include the Miss Ita Ajero Pageant on August 19 and Shugudu Night on August 20.

Afolabi also announced plans to establish a N2 billion Ita Ajero Festival Pavilion and appealed to individuals, businesses and indigenes to support the project.

The Director-General of the Ekiti State Bureau of Development and Investment Promotion, Lanre Ojo-Lanre, described Ita Ajero as one of the rapidly growing cultural festivals in Yorubaland and pledged continued government support.

The Secretary of the Ijero Youth Association, Pastor Akin Alufa, meanwhile, called on young people in the community to participate actively in the festival and contribute to the development of Ijero.