Lisabi festival not hijacked by Egbaliganza, committee says |

The Lisabi Festival Committee has dismissed claims that the 39th edition of the annual celebration is being transformed into a platform for the cultural fashion initiative known as Egbaliganza.

In a statement issued on Thursday, the committee described a viral video suggesting that the festival now revolves around Egbaliganza as “entirely false, misleading, and a distortion of historical truth.”

The statement was signed by the Asipa of Egbaland and Chairman of the Lisabi Festival Committee, Chief Rasheed Raji.

The Lisabi Festival is held annually in Abeokuta, Ogun State to honour Lisabi Agbongbo Akala, the Egba warrior who led the revolt against the Oyo Empire in the 18th century and secured the independence of the Egba people.

Raji said the festival remains a sacred homage to the Egba hero and is not a platform for commercial or fashion enterprises.

He stated: “This enduring legacy that we commemorate annually is not for any commercial or fashion enterprise.

“We acknowledge Egbaliganza as a commendable innovation promoting Egba fashion and enterprise under Chief Labode’s leadership.

“The committee maintains that both initiatives are separate and distinct.

“Only about two hours within the week-long programme have been allocated for an Egbaliganza showcase of Egba attire.”

Raji described the slot as purely honorary and not intended to redefine or overshadow the festival’s historical focus.

The 39th Lisabi Festival is scheduled to hold from March 23 to 29, 2026, with the grand finale fixed for March 28 in Abeokuta.

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Raji noted that promotional materials highlighting international participation, royal presence and cultural parades may have fuelled public perception that the fashion brand is becoming central to the celebration.

According to him, some social media users have loosely branded the event as: “Lisabi Festival (Egbaliganza),” a narrative the committee is seeking to correct.

He added that while Egbaliganza’s debut at the 2025 festivities attracted praise for adding colour and vibrancy, some traditional stakeholders had raised concerns about preserving the spiritual and historical essence of the event.

Raji said: “We are celebrating our hero. 

“We are celebrating our history. 

“We are celebrating Lisabi.”

The statement ended with the traditional rallying cry: “Egba Agbewa Ooo,” reaffirming that the festival remains a solemn commemoration of Egba liberation and identity.

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