On Saturday, April 5th, the city of Abeokuta came alive. The air was thick with excitement, pride, and elegance as Egba sons and daughters gathered for the grand finale of the Lisabi Festival. But this wasn’t your typical cultural celebration. This was Ègbáliganza. A bold showcase of Egba identity, fashion, creativity, and ambition.

This was Egbaland on full display. Loud, proud, and impossible to ignore.

The Alake and Paramount Ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, stood at the centre of it all, leading with grace and tradition. Royalty met runway. History met haute couture. And Egba people gave the world a front-row seat to the future of African style.

The Fabrics. The Faces. The Fire.

The colours were rich. The tailoring was sharp. And every piece told a story. Adire. Ofi. Aso-oke. Beads that glistened. Geles sculpted to perfection. Agbadas stitched with pride. This wasn’t costume. It was confidence. It was culture worn with intention.

Nollywood royalty stood beside fashion entrepreneurs. Cultural custodians mingled with young creatives. Politicians stepped out in style. From the regal walkway of kings to the buzzing textile exhibitions, the energy never dropped. It was heritage in motion. And everyone brought their A-game.

A Creative Economy, Backed by Billion-Dollar Vision

Lai Labode, Osi Apagun of Egbaland and the visionary behind Ègbáliganza, in a pre-event interview with Businessday inferred that, Ègbáliganza movement isn’t only about looking good, it is about building wealth, creating jobs and owning our narrative.

The Egba fashion and textile industry already carries an estimated value of $1 billion. Ègbáliganza aims to grow that number, through trainings, enterprise support, international collaboration and global positioning.

The goal is to make Egbaland a recognised capital of African fashion. To take local designers and artisans from the streets of Abeokuta to the showrooms of Paris, Milan, and New York. And to prove that African creativity is both beautiful and bankable.

The Legacy of Lisabi, Worn with Pride

The Lisabi Festival has always honoured a hero,  fearless liberator, symbol of Egba strength and sacrifice. This year, Ègbáliganza paid tribute by turning that legacy into a living, breathing experience. One filled with rhythm, colour, purpose, and vision.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo attended. Governor Dapo Abiodun arrived in full Egba splendour. Ladi Adebutu. Richard Mofe-Damijo. High chiefs. Innovators. Elders. And next-gen game changers. Every face in the crowd added to the story. Every step taken reinforced the pride.

This Is Not the Peak. It’s the Blueprint.

Ègbáliganza has made it clear. Egbaland will not wait for permission. It will not ask to be seen. It will build. It will shine. And it will lead.

The future of African fashion carries the Egba signature. Authentic. Ambitious. Unapologetic.

This is the energy. This is the mission. This is Ègbáliganza. And it’s only getting started.