Lisabi Day celebrations: Case for Nigeria’s ‘fashion-tainment’ industry

Lisabi Agbongbo Akala, a legendary Egba hero who liberated his people, has always been celebrated for more than a century since his disappearance in the sacred forest called Lisabi Sacred Forest located in Oba Village, Obafemi/Owode Local Government, Ogun State, in the Southwest region of Nigeria. The last Lisabi Day grand finale which was held on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at the Alake Palace in Ake, Abeokuta, was not an ordinary sub-tribe celebration; it was also a fashion celebration. To say the list, it is the beginning of a trillion naira fashion-tainment business in Nigeria. It was full of fun and pageantry regaled with different kinds of fashion designs. It was also well attended by “who is who” in Egbaland, from the Alake of Egbaland himself, Oba Michael Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, Okukenu IV and the paramount ruler of Egbaland, to the former president of Nigeria, Chief Mathew Olusegun Aremu Obasanjo and to the former governor of Ogun State, Chief Olusegun Aremu Osoba.
Lisabi Day celebration in Abeokuta, Ogun State, is a collection of cultural activities dedicated to Lisabi, a revered Yoruba brave man known for his leadership, gallantry, and resistance against the oppression of the Egba people during the colonial era. Lisabi is celebrated for leading the Egba people in successful fights against numerous external oppressions, especially during the British invasion of the 19th century. It is celebrated annually to appreciate the courage and heroism of the brave man on a day in the year, marking the death anniversary of the hero. The event is celebrated in Abeokuta, the capital of Ogun State, where Lisabi’s legendary resistance is deeply rooted in local history. The celebration includes cultural performances, music, dance, and traditional Yoruba rituals, showcasing the rich heritage of the Egba people.
Lisabi Day honours the memory of Lisabi as a national hero who fought for freedom and justice for his people. A significant part of the celebration involves a grand parade and procession through Abeokuta, with traditional leaders, chiefs, and community members participating in the show of class. The Egba People are proud people and Lisabi Day celebration is a highlight of the pride of the Egba people and their strong connection to their cultural roots, emphasizing unity and legacy. The Alake of Egbaland, the traditional ruler, plays a central role in the celebration, often delivering speeches and addressing the people during the event. The events usually include laying wreaths at Lisabi’s memorial sites, such as at the Lisabi Tree, in Lisabi Forest to honour his memory and to revere him.
The day is used to foster unity among the Egba people and the entire Yoruba race, and to pray for peace, progress and tranquillity in the entire Nigeria, and emphasizing peace and togetherness in the community. Social clubs, religious organisations, and various community groups are actively involved in the celebrations, ensuring that the younger generation is made aware of Lisabi’s legacy. The celebration includes the sharing of traditional Yoruba delicacies, such as amala lafun made from cassava powder with ewedu soup, pounded yam with egusi or efo riro or efo elegusi soup, and roasted yam and oil, ofada rice and jollof rice, and different snacks like fried cocoyam and ‘kokoro’ (made from corn) etc, as a means of bonding and honouring the hero. Vendors of foods and artisans of Yoruba local arts and crafts display their wares during the event, allowing people to engage with the local culture through art, foods and commerce.
In past activities, Lisabi Day entertainment has been used for political and social relevance. In recent years, Lisabi Day has grown to also address contemporary issues in Ogun State and Nigeria, with politicians using the platform to advocate for peace and development. It has also become a major tourist attraction, drawing people from different parts of Nigeria and abroad to experience the rich cultural history of the Egba people and the legendary figure of Lisabi. Worthy of note is the fashion statement being established as part of the annual rites. This year’s celebration witnessed an exhibition of different regalia made from expensive fabrics. Yoruba clothes made from aso oke, guinea brocade, ankara, lace, damask, wool and adire, were adorned by different participants.
This year’s celebration also witnessed the wearing of uniform materials (aso ebi) by different groups. There were groups from both male and female gender that decided to wear the same materials. The business angle to it is that these materials are meant for this year’s festival only and we expect to see another material worn by these groups next year. More groups will join the race of wearing uniform materials next year with unique designs and different ornaments to make their uniforms attractive and catch the attention of onlookers. There will also always be solo-participants that will prefer to wear bespoke cloth made for just them. In this year’s fashion-tainment, a woman wore very expensive cloth made of feathers sewn on silk material to showcase her beauty. To maximise the potential of Lisabi Day, more sitting spaces must be provided at the Ake palace. More advertisement must also be made as hoteliers and restaurateurs claimed they experienced higher patronage during the festivals. A fixed day needs to be chosen just like the Ojude Oba in Ijebu Ode, which is on the second day after Idel Fitr (Ileya Festival).
A local celebration, tagged ‘Egbaliganza” can be turned into a thriving tourism business and bold cultural statement if it can garner the support of the government. The private sector has tried with corporate organisations like Nigeria Distilleries Limited, the manufacturers of Seaman Schnapps, Lord’s Dry Gin, Calypso etc. Prior to the hosting of this year’s edition of the Lisabi Day, a fashion brand, ‘Egbaliganza’ designed to project Egba creativity and craftsmanship on the global stage announced plans to establish a $1 billion fashion industry in Yorubaland as part of efforts to promote African culture and tradition, and celebrate the resilience of the Egba people. This initiative was unveiled at a press conference by Chief Lai Labode, an Egba son and founder of ‘Egbaliganza’. May the years of celebrating Lisabi Days be long and may the annual celebration bring forth bountiful yield for the people and the state.