The Orlando Owoh Music Festival 2026 will take place on Saturday, November 7, at KYMA Beach, Elegushi, Lekki, Lagos, as organisers seek to preserve the legacy of the late Nigerian highlife legend and introduce his distinctive Kenery sound to a new generation.
The event is scheduled to run from 3 p.m. to 4 a.m., featuring performances across Kenery music, Juju, Highlife and Afrobeat, alongside live bands, disc jockeys and cultural displays.
The festival is being presented by Lekan Jimoh, Chief Executive Officer of LJ Entertainment and the Orlando Owoh International Foundation, with Kenery Music powering the programme.
Organisers say the gathering will celebrate Owoh’s contributions to Nigerian music while encouraging greater appreciation of his extensive repertoire and enduring cultural influence.
Owoh earned recognition for his distinctive musical style, storytelling, humour and social commentary, using his songs to reflect everyday experiences, Yoruba culture and the realities of ordinary Nigerians.
His music established a unique identity within Nigeria’s highlife tradition, making his legacy an important part of the country’s musical and cultural history.
Through the festival, organisers hope to reconnect audiences with his work and ensure that his contribution remains relevant beyond commemorative events.
Owoh’s children, Orimipe, Kunle and Daisi Owoh, are also associated with efforts to sustain their father’s musical heritage.
The organisers believe that preserving his legacy requires more than occasional tributes, highlighting the need for continued public engagement and wider access to his recordings.
The initiative draws comparisons with Felabration, the annual festival celebrating the life, music and activism of Afrobeat pioneer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti.
Established in 1998 by Fela’s daughter, Yeni Kuti, Felabration has grown into a platform for celebrating his artistic contributions and cultural influence.
However, the organisers of the Orlando Owoh Music Festival say their ambition is to preserve Owoh’s distinctive musical identity and celebrate his contributions to highlife and Kenery music on their own terms.
They hope the event will develop into a recognised cultural platform that keeps his music accessible to audiences throughout the year.
Beyond live performances, the festival presents an opportunity to strengthen documentation of Owoh’s career through media coverage, digital archives, recorded performances and discussions about his influence on Nigerian music.
Organisers also believe that strategic publicity and stronger digital visibility could introduce his work to younger Nigerians and international audiences who may know his name but have limited exposure to his recordings.
For Social Media Centre Marketing (SMC), the initiative underscores the role of media and digital platforms in preserving African cultural heritage and making influential musical histories accessible across generations and geographical boundaries.
The organisers hope that sustained engagement, documentation and expanded access to Owoh’s music will help establish the festival as an enduring celebration of his artistic legacy.
The Orlando Owoh Music Festival 2026 is scheduled as follows:
- Date: Saturday, November 7, 2026
- Time: 3 p.m. to 4 a.m.
- Venue: KYMA Beach, Elegushi, Lekki, Lagos
- Performances: Kenery, Juju, Highlife, Afrobeat, live bands, DJs and cultural displays
Tickets are available through the event’s booking page: https://www.onburd.com/ng/events/dr-orlando-owoh-music-festival.
The festival aims to bring together music lovers and cultural enthusiasts to celebrate Orlando Owoh’s contribution to Nigerian music while helping preserve his distinctive sound for future generations.
Culture4 years ago
