“It was Balogun Kuku who started it…” – Man explains origin of Ojude Oba festival in viral video

An elderly Nigerian man has captured attention of many on social media after explaining the origin of the Ojude Oba festival in a viral video.

The video has sparked widespread discussion online as he gave a detailed narration of how the viral cultural celebration began in Ijebu land.

Early History of the viral Festival

According to him, Ojude Oba evolved from an earlier traditional gathering known as “Ode Nla,” which existed before the arrival of Islam and Christianity in the region.

He explained that during that period, different traditional worshippers would come out with symbols representing deities such as Ogun, Sango, Oya, and others to pay homage to the Awujale, the traditional ruler of Ijebu land.

“It was Balogun Kuku who started Ojude Oba. The festival had existed long before Islam and Christianity. It was originally called Ode Nla. During that time, all our fathers and forefathers would bring out all their symbols of worship. Those worshipping Ogun, Sango, Oya, and others to pay homage to the Awujale in the olden days,” he said.

Role of Balogun Kuku

The man further stated that Balogun Kuku played a major role in shaping what later became Ojude Oba.

He narrated that Balogun Kuku was initially a Christian before converting to Islam during a period of religious transition in Ijebu land.

He stated: “But when Islam entered Ijebu land, Balogun Kuku became a Muslim. He was previously a Christian before converting to Islam.”

Religion and Balogun Kuku’s Conversion

He added that Balogun Kuku later embraced Islam after learning that the religion permitted multiple wives.

“The Christians told him then that he could only have one wife, but he had over 30 wives. Balogun then asked what he should do with his wives. They told him to pick only one out of all of them to remain his wife. That was when Balogun Kuku said he could no longer embrace Christianity because he can’t leave his wives.”

“One of Balogun’s slaves then told him he knew of a religion that allowed multiple wives. The Balogun asked which religion it was, and he said Islam. Balogun Kuku now asked him about their location; the slave told him that they were in the north and so instructed the slave to go call them. By the time the Muslims got to him, the first question he asked was how many wives he could have. They asked, “Baba, how many wives do you currently have?” He replied that he had over 30. The Muslims told him he could marry more wives, and Balogun Kuku said, “Yes, this is a good religion if I can still marry more wives.” That was how he became a Muslim. The first time Balogun Kuku used a turban. Over 500 people, including my own great-grandfather, wore turbans that day.”

Ojude Oba Foundation

The man explained that after embracing Islam, the group later sought permission from the Awujale to practice their religion and were granted land for Eid prayers.

According to him, that meeting marked the beginning of Ojude Oba as it is known today.

“As they continued in Islam, they went to the Awujale, the late king, to beg for land for Eid. The king gave them the land. On Ileya day, after slaughtering their rams, they rested on the second day. On the third day, they decided to go and thank the king for giving them a place to practice their religion. They asked where they should meet, and they were told to meet at the king’s forecourt. That was where Ojude Oba began. So it was Balogun Kuku who started Ojude Oba, aside from the Ode Nla they were doing before. Now they are just following his legacy.”

See below;

“Ojude Oba existed before islam and christianity, it was called OdeNla then. Balogun Kuku was a christian before he converted to Islam because the christians told him he can only have one wife and he had 36.

he dropped christianity for islam because he said he can’t leave his… pic.twitter.com/5AHtsGEnFv

— last born (@olasebotifeg) May 31, 2026