The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade, has declared that the upcoming 2026 Oyo Empire Day celebration is not designed to diminish, overshadow, or rewrite the rich histories of other tribes within Yorubaland and Nigeria. The traditional ruler clarified that the historic initiative is meant to build bridges, foster national cohesion, and celebrate the shared cultural evolution of the West African sub-region rather than promote ethnic supremacy.

THENEWSCREDIT reports that Oba Owoade made these remarks on Tuesday at the royal palace in Oyo town during the official inauguration of the Central Working Committee for the global event. Addressing journalists and cultural stakeholders, the monarch stated that the three-day festival, scheduled to run from December 17 to December 19, 2026, will be anchored on the theme: “Celebrating Our Heritage, Preserving Our Legacy, Building Our Future.”

According to THENEWSCREDIT the royal father said, the landmark celebration was conceptualised as an annual, inclusive platform to showcase the vibrant arts, enduring governance systems, and historical milestones of the ancient Oyo Empire. He maintained that the history of the empire belongs to the entire Black race, noting that its civilisational footprints extend far beyond the geographical boundaries of modern Oyo State.

The monarch stressed that the historical influence of the empire spans across West Africa, binding communities that interacted with, formed part of, or were heavily influenced by its administrative and military structures. To highlight this sprawling ancestral network, he listed several interconnected towns across Kwara, Osun, Ogun, and Ondo states, as well as historic Oyo diaspora settlements in the neighboring Republic of Benin.

"We must preserve our legacy because people who lose their history gradually lose an important part of their identity," the Alaafin admonished the gathering. "We must build our future because history should not become a museum of dead memories; it must serve as the active foundation upon which future generations can confidently stand and build."

Oba Owoade further explained that the festival will serve as a strategic vehicle for deep intellectual engagement, youth empowerment, and international tourism development. He noted that the gathering will unite traditional rulers, world-class scholars, cultural practitioners, corporate bodies, and global friends of Nigeria to explore how ancient heritage can drive modern economic opportunities.

The proposed itinerary for the December event features a robust blend of academic and cultural activities designed to capture global attention. Among the listed programmes are an official heritage opening ceremony, historical book presentations, multi-state cultural exhibitions, guided tourism excursions, and the high-profile Oyo Empire Colloquium for rigorous historical debate.

To ensure a seamless execution of the project, the monarch inaugurated a high-powered, 37-member Central Working Committee consisting of seasoned professionals, community leaders, and academic experts. The committee is headed by former INEC National Commissioner Dr. Adekunle Ogunmola as Chairman, with Prof. Soji Adejumo serving as Vice Chairman, alongside renowned cleric Archbishop Ayo Ladigbolu and 34 others.

In his acceptance speech, the committee chairman, Dr. Ogunmola, expressed profound gratitude to the monarch for the confidence reposed in the team and vowed to deliver a world-class celebration. He called on all descendants of the empire, state governments, and cultural enthusiasts worldwide to provide maximum cooperation and logistical support to ensure the historic outing achieves its global objectives.