Controversy has erupted over alleged cultural overreach by the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, following her social media post celebrating the recently concluded Ojude Oba Festival in Ijebu, Ogun State.
Minister's Celebration Draws Criticism
In her post, Musawa described Ojude Oba as more than a festival, emphasizing that it is proof of what culture achieves when protected, resourced, and taken seriously. She stated, 'At the 2026 edition, I reaffirmed Nigeria's commitment to advancing Ojude-Oba's inscription on the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage List — working with the Ijebu Traditional Council, the Ogun State Government, and UNESCO Nigeria.'
The minister highlighted that the festival generates peace, commerce, and identity simultaneously, exactly what a creative economy is supposed to do. She added that her ministry's job is to make that case to the world and build the infrastructure that sustains it long after the horses have gone home.
In screenshots of articles celebrating the festival, Musawa described it as one 'celebrated by Nigerians of all faiths, Ijebu, diaspora, and visitors from across the country.' According to her, that inclusiveness is not incidental but the point.
Yoruba Youths React
However, the minister's post was met with displeasure from Yoruba youths on social media, who questioned her failure to mention that the festival belongs to the Yoruba people. They accused her of trying to Nigerianise the festival by stripping it of its Yoruba identity with her claim of inclusivity.
On X, one user identified as @Light6476842792 said, 'Show us the non-Yoruba visitors from across this country. These are Yoruba people wearing indigenous Yoruba attire and identity (aso oke). Where are Hausa, Igbo, Bini, Igala, Tiv, etc. in this video? You were invited as a non-Yoruba because of your government role.'
@Asakemijimi said, 'Don't be a clown. Ojude Oba is an Ijebu festival and Ijebu are Yorubas. Why did you write that Ojude Oba is celebrated by Nigerians of all faiths? OJUDE OBA IS A YORUBA FESTIVAL. You clearly refused to write that down because you want to Nigerianise a Yoruba festival.'
@Light6476842792 added, 'So, you're Fulani and you're promoting yourself rather than Yoruba (Ijebu) heritage? You explicitly identified Durbar Festival as Hausa-Fulani, yet you didn't mention Yoruba in either your tweets or brochure about Ojude-Oba. Ojude-Oba is officially described as a Yoruba festival. Hausas are also accusing you of cultural appropriation, while you are trying to Nigerianise Ojude-Oba. We will be monitoring your UNESCO application closely, as UNESCO requires heritage elements to be clearly identified within their cultural community and identity.'
@AdeJesuRe said, 'Ojude Oba being on UNESCO's Intangible Cultural Heritage List is a cultural issue, which for Ojude Oba is a matter of Yoruba culture. In the case of Nigeria, culture follows ethnicity, not country identity. As there is no such thing as Nigerian culture, this is a Yoruba issue.'
