The annual Udiroko Festival was held in Ado-Ekiti on Wednesday, Aug. 19, bringing residents, traditional leaders and government officials together as Ekiti State seeks to use its cultural festivals to attract visitors and create new economic opportunities.

The 2026 celebration brought together the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, Ekiti State Governor Biodun Oyebanji, Deputy Governor Monisade Afuye, traditional chiefs, senior state officials and community groups.

Udiroko is one of Ado-Ekiti’s major traditional festivals and marks the beginning of a new year in the city’s traditional calendar.

An historical account published by the Ekiti State Government traces the festival to around 1310, during the reign of Awamaro, whom it identifies as the first Ewi of present-day Ado-Ekiti.

The account says the name Udiroko is linked to an iroko tree at the royal palace, beneath which members of the community historically gathered.

The festival developed as an occasion for residents to come together, offer prayers, take part in cultural performances and hear from the traditional ruler at the start of another year.

Those traditions remain visible in the modern celebration.

At the Aug. 19 event, different community groups and titled chiefs paid homage to the Ewi, according to the state government.

Oba Adejugbe described Udiroko as an important part of Ado-Ekiti’s cultural heritage and called for the tradition to be preserved and passed on to future generations.

He also said the festival had helped promote unity, cultural values and peaceful coexistence within the community.

But alongside its traditional role, the 2026 festival also highlighted efforts by the Ekiti State Government to give cultural events a greater place in its tourism and economic strategy.

Governor Oyebanji said his administration wanted Udiroko and other festivals across the state to become platforms for tourism promotion, economic development and wealth creation.

He said preserving culture should go alongside efforts to attract visitors, generate income, create employment and improve livelihoods.