Massive Eid Celebration at University of Ibadan Draws Thousands After Ramadan
Over 5,000 Muslims converged at the University of Ibadan in Oyo State for the 9th edition of the Ibadan EidFest, a vibrant event designed to celebrate the conclusion of Ramadan with family-friendly activities and community engagement. Held at the University of Ibadan Central Mosque on Saturday, March 21, 2026, the festival provided a unique opportunity for relaxation, networking, and spiritual reflection after the month-long fasting period.
Convener Highlights Event's Role in Strengthening Family Bonds
Barrister Mahmudat Yussuf, the Convener of Ibadan EidFest, emphasized the event's purpose in addressing the perception that Eid celebrations can be dull. "We started the EidFest in 2018 because there is an assumption that Eid is always boring—people go to Eid and come back home. There is no form of recreation, and that is just it," she explained. "So, we felt that why can't we bring ourselves together, organize something befitting like an amusement park setting in a makeshift manner." She noted that the festival allows Muslims to enjoy recreation, connect with others, extend greetings, share ideas, and commemorate Eid-el-Fitri in a communal setting.
Attendees Praise Benefits for Families and Children
Attendees lauded the EidFest for its multifaceted benefits. Alhaji Iskil Yusuf, a retired Controller of Correctional Service, stated, "Ibadan EidFest is a beautiful thing that has come to stay. Coming here is a way of relaxing after the end of Ramadan, and you meet fellow Muslim brothers and sisters where we can build up a relationship based on Islamic tenets." He highlighted the event's role in providing educational programs for children and opportunities for business owners to showcase goods and services.
Dr. Daud Amoo Alaga, an Ibadan-based Islamic scholar, advised participants to maintain the spiritual lessons of Ramadan while enjoying the festivities. "All the organs of our body have been trained to act along with divine injunction. One of the biggest aspects of Ramadan is to uphold what we have been doing during Ramadan. We should not abandon what we have been doing during Ramadan fast. Spiritualisation is a continuous process after the Ramadan fast," he remarked.
Activities and Community Connection at the Festival
The 2026 EidFest featured a wide array of activities, including bounce houses, trampolines, canoe paddling, horseback riding, scrabble, basketball, chess, and block building. These activities catered to children, young adults, and families, fostering joy and interaction. Alhajj Abdul Rahman Balogun, Director of Media at NiDCOM and President of MMPN, commented on the event's significance: "Before now, Muslim children did not have anywhere to go for recreation and to relax like their counterparts. But now, we have places to relax, connect and share ideas and experiences."
Young adult attendee Muslimah expressed enthusiasm, saying, "The programme is very interesting and fun-filled. The organisers have done very well. Baarallahu feekum to them." The festival also served as a platform for networking among professionals, academics, and students, enhancing community ties.
Spiritual Guidance and Caution from Religious Leaders
Amid the celebrations, Professor Ibrahim Olatunde Uthman, Chief Imam of the University of Ibadan, issued a caution to Muslims against defying constituted authorities. He stressed that while questioning leadership is permissible, protests that cause destruction and pain are contrary to Islamic principles. This message underscored the balance between recreation and adherence to faith during the post-Ramadan period.
The 9th Ibadan EidFest successfully blended fun and faith, offering a model for future celebrations that promote family bonding, community cohesion, and spiritual continuity. With thousands in attendance, the event highlighted the growing demand for inclusive recreational spaces within the Muslim community in Nigeria.
