Colours, fashion, glamour and glitz at the 2025 Yoruba Day in Accra,

With colour, royalty and pride, Yoruba Community in Ghana made history on Sunday, 22nd September 2025, as they hosted the maiden edition of Yoruba Day at the iconic Independence Square, Accra.

This year’s celebration, themed “Celebrating the Beauty of Yoruba Culture, Excellence, and Unity,” was organized under the guidance and supervision of Alhaji Babatunde Yahya Azeez, President of the Yoruba Community in Ghana, and Ambassador Oyeyemisola Fatuyi, Chairman of the Yoruba Day 2025 Organizing Committee. Their vision and leadership brought together prominent Yoruba leaders, traditional rulers, academics, cultural icons, and distinguished personalities from both Ghana and Nigeria. The success of the event is a testament to the tireless efforts of the organizing committee under the exemplary leadership of Ambassador Fatuyi.
The event was attended by distinguished personalities from both Nigeria and Ghana. From Nigeria came royal fathers such as His Royal Majesty, Oba Saheed Ademola Elegushi, Kusenla III, Elegushi of Ikate Kingdom, Lagos State, and His Royal Majesty, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye II, Olofa of Offa, Kwara State. From Ghana, notable Yoruba traditional leaders included His Royal Majesty, Oba Alhaji Hamza Peregrino Brimah VIII, Oba of the Yoruba in Ghana, and His Royal Majesty, Oba Abdul Rasheed Brimah, President of the Yoruba Council of Obas and Royal Fathers in Ghana. Also present were eminent personalities such as Ambassador Moses Adeoye, Acting Nigeria High Commissioner to Ghana, and veteran musician Alhaji Sidiku Buari. Queen Salawa Abeni traveled from Nigeria as a special guest and performed briefly to delight the audience.

The ceremony was a vibrant showcase of Yoruba culture—traditional attire and headgears, drumming, colourful dances, and the irresistible flavours of Yoruba cuisine. Music featured prominently, with performances by various musicians and cultural groups bringing fuji, traditional, and contemporary Yoruba rhythms to life, while dance troupes and drummers electrified the atmosphere.

Awards were presented to past leaders and distinguished individuals of the Yoruba community who have served the community well. Among the awardees were Alhaja Risikatu Vanderpuije, formerly known as the Iyalode of Ghana and now Yeye Oba of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, Alfa Qudus, Oba Saheed Elegushi, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi (Olofa), Queen Salawa Abeni and others. These awards recognized their contributions, support, and dedication to the growth and development of the Yoruba community in Ghana and Nigeria.

In his opening speech, Alhaji Babatunde Yahya Azeez, President of the Yoruba Community in Ghana, emphasized that the event was designed to celebrate Yoruba heritage while also strengthening bonds among Yorubas in the diaspora. He reflected on the sacrifices of past Yoruba leaders whose legacy of integrity, hard work, and loyalty remains a guiding light. He further highlighted the deep historical ties between Yorubas and Ghanaians, noting that Yoruba descendants have contributed to commerce, education, and leadership across Ghana. “This is evidence that we are not just residents in Ghana, but true partners in its growth and territorial development,” he said. He reaffirmed the Yoruba community’s commitment to peaceful coexistence with their Ghanaian brothers and sisters while pledging respect for the host nation’s culture and traditions.

The Acting Nigeria High Commissioner to Ghana, Ambassador Moses Adeoye, commended the Yoruba community for being law-abiding and exemplary. “As a Nigerian diplomat here, I have spent almost two years in Ghana, and I want to tell our fathers who came from Nigeria that the Yoruba communities in Ghana are highly responsible people. In my two years here, the government of Ghana has never reported anyone from the community to my office. They are good ambassadors of the Yoruba people and of Nigeria at large,” he said.

Yoruba Day 2025 in Accra was not just about the Yoruba—it was a celebration of unity. Nigerians from diverse backgrounds, Ghanaians, and friends of the Yoruba people joined the festivities, strengthening bonds of friendship between the two nations. Yoruba communities from other regions of Ghana also participated, making it a truly national and inclusive gathering.

At Naija Diaspora Magazine, we are proud of the Yoruba community in Ghana and of Nigerians across the diaspora who continue to showcase the strength, resilience, and cultural beauty of our country. Yoruba Day 2025 is not just a festival—it is a statement of identity, unity, and excellence.

Beautiful pictures from Yoruba Day 2025 in Accra will be featured below, capturing the vibrant culture, royalty, and joyous moments of this historic celebration.