The ancient city of Ogbomoso is set to come alive once again with pomp, culture, and colour as preparations intensify for the 2025 edition of the Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival, scheduled to hold from December 18 to 22, 2025.
Speaking at a press conference held on Friday at the palace of the Soun of Ogbomosoland, the Chairman of the Planning Committee, Hon. Segun Dokun Odebunmi, described the carnival as one of the flagship initiatives of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, Orumogege III, under the monarch’s 25-year development agenda for Ogbomosoland. Odebunmi said the carnival was conceived to promote Ogbomoso’s rich cultural heritage, foster unity among its people, and project the city’s uniqueness to the world.
“The Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival is more than a cultural display. It is a vision — a platform to showcase our heritage, promote our identity, and restore the dignity of Ogbomosoland,” he said. He recalled that the maiden edition held in 2024 recorded over 10,000 visitors, including indigenes from the diaspora, corporate sponsors, and tourists, adding that the event has since become a model for cultural celebration in Oyo State. “Last year’s success inspired several communities across Oyo State. It also attracted the establishment of a campus of the Nigerian Academy for Cultural Studies (NACUS) and secured inclusion in both the state and federal cultural calendars,” Odebunmi noted.
He expressed optimism that the 2025 edition would surpass the previous one in colour, creativity, and impact, adding that new activities and innovations have been introduced to enrich participants’ experience.
According to him, this year’s pre-carnival activities are largely youth-focused, designed not just to showcase talent but also to promote outstanding individuals to national and global stages.
Chairman of the Pre-Carnival Committee, Mr. Banji Ojo, said areas not yet captured in the current lineup would be included in subsequent editions and urged young people to take advantage of the talent hunts and other opportunities to display their God-given gifts.
The committee’s secretary, Mr. Muyiwa Oke, disclosed that over 50 clubs and associations have registered to participate, with registration still open for other interested groups and organizations. He assured that the carnival will reflect the unity and vibrancy that define Ogbomosoland.
The 2025 carnival will feature Pre-Carnival, Main Carnival, and Post-Carnival events. Pre-carnival highlights include a Talent Hunt to showcase music, comedy, and traditional performances; the Omidan Ogbomoso Beauty Pageant to crown the cultural ambassador of Ogbomosoland; and an Arts and Crafts Exhibition from December 18 to 22. Other activities include the Oba Ghandi Golf Tournament, Football Competition, Tennis Tournament, Ayo Olopon and Draught Competitions, and a Marathon Race.
The main carnival will officially open on Thursday, December 18, at the Soun Ogunlola Hall, with cultural displays, music, and addresses by dignitaries. Subsequent days will feature chieftaincy conferments, Jumaat prayers, the Odun Oole Festival, a golf tournament, award night, and musical entertainment. The celebration will climax on Monday, December 22, with an official closing ceremony to be performed by the Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, and will feature cultural displays from the five local governments in Ogbomosoland.
Hon. Odebunmi assured that adequate security measures have been put in place. A team of serving and retired experts will oversee surveillance and crowd management, while hotels and restaurants across the city have been prepared to ensure comfort and safety for visitors.
Chairman of the Media and Publicity Committee, Prince Dotun Oyelade, said the carnival was programmed for success right from the beginning and urged journalists to project the event’s vision of unity, culture, and economic revival.
In his closing remarks, Hon. Odebunmi called on all sons and daughters of Ogbomosoland to rally behind the initiative, saying unity and collective effort will ensure that the city attains its rightful place as a cultural and tourism hub. “As Helen Keller said, ‘Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.’ Together, under the leadership of His Imperial Majesty, we are rewriting our story with courage and conviction,” he said.
The Ogbomoso Cradles Carnival was inaugurated in 2024 as part of the Soun’s developmental vision for Ogbomosoland. It has since become one of the most anticipated cultural festivals in Oyo State, attracting both local and international attention.
