The Oyo State Government has unveiled a programme of activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the creation of the state.
Chairman of the OyoState@50 Anniversary Committee and former two-term Member of the House of Representatives, Hon Saheed Akinade-Fijabi, unveiled the activities on Wednesday, January 21, 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 five decades 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 shared values and cultural expression of the state and an avenue for thanksgiving for how far the Pacesetter State has come.
Akinade-Fijabi noted that Oyo State@50 anniversary celebration will begin with an opening ceremony scheduled for 10 a.m. on Monday, January 26, 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, January 27, 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, January 28, 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.”
The lead speaker is Prof. Olu Ajakaiye. Other guest speakers are Prof Olanrewaju Olaniyan, Prof. Dikirulahi Yagboyaju and Dr Durodola Kamoru Ogunsesan.
This will be followed by a Jumat Service on Friday, 30th January, 2026, at the Ibadan Central Mosque, while on Saturday, there will be Isese service for traditional worshippers.
Akinade-Fijabi added that on Saturday, 31st January, 2026, a novelty football match will take place at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, Ibadan, between a team led by Governor Makinde and a team led by football icon of Oyo State’s extraction, Mutiu Adepoju.
On Sunday, 1st February, 2026, a Thanksgiving Service will hold at St Peter’s Cathedral, Aremo, Ibadan, which will be followed by an event tagged ‘An Afternoon with the Elderly and PLWD’, to be held at the Omololu Olunloyo Park, Airport Road, Ibadan.
On Monday, 2nd of February, 2026, the Wife of the Oyo State Governor, Her Excellency, Engr (Mrs), Tamunominini Makinde, will visit some selected primary and secondary schools in the state to present gifts to school children, while in the evening, she will celebrate and empower women in commemoration of the state’s 50th anniversary.
On Tuesday, 3rd February, 2026, which marks exactly 50 years since Oyo State was created on Tuesday, February 3, 1976, the government will host a Gala/Award Night to honour the 17 former Governors/Military Administrators, who have served the state as well as indigenes and non-indigenes, who have contributed immensely to the growth, development and success of the state.
The event will take place at the newly-built Banquet Hall, Government House, Agodi, Ibadan.
Akinade-Fijabi called on all residents, indigenes and non-indigenes of Oyo State at home and in the Diaspora, to join in the celebrations.
The press conference had in attendance the Secretary of the 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 the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Broadcast, Mrs Bosede Sodiq.
