Lisabi Festival Committee denies claims that 2026 edition centres on Egbaliganza fashion, reaffirming celebration of Lisabi Agbongbo Akala and Egba heritage

The Lisabi Festival Committee has dismissed claims that the 39th edition of the historic festival is being repositioned as a platform for Egbaliganza, led by Chief Lai Labode, Aare of Egbaland.

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High Chief Rasheed Raji, Asipa of Egbaland and Chairman of the Lisabi Festival Committee, called the claim “entirely false and misleading,” emphasising that the festival remains an annual homage to Lisabi Agbongbo Akala, the 17th-century Egba warrior who led his people to freedom from the old Oyo Empire.

Raji clarified that only a two-hour segment within the week-long programme is allocated for an honorary Egbaliganza fashion showcase.

He stressed that this segment does not redefine or overshadow the festival’s historical and cultural focus.

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

Raji also noted that recent promotional materials and social media references branding the event as “Lisabi Festival (Egbaliganza)” may have contributed to public misconceptions.

He reaffirmed that the festival honours Egba heritage, stating: “We are celebrating our hero. We are celebrating our history. We are celebrating Lisabi. Egba Agbewa Ooo.”

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Preparations continue ahead of the March celebration, with attention on balancing cultural heritage and the growing influence of fashion branding in the 2026 festival.