Lagos residents, visitors and culture enthusiasts are converging on the Tafawa Balewa Square for the 2025 Adamu Orisa Play, popularly known as the Eyo Festival.
The event is expected to attract a host of dignitaries, including state governors, senior government officials and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Eyo Festival is a colourful cultural celebration that showcases Lagos’ rich heritage and traditions, held in honour of departed kings and other distinguished personalities.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Government has announced a temporary traffic diversion on a section of the Third Mainland Bridge and other major routes on Lagos Island ahead of the Eyo Festival scheduled for Saturday.
In a travel advisory issued via its official social media platforms, the government urged residents and motorists to plan their movements in advance, as vehicular traffic would be partially restricted in several parts of Lagos Island to allow for the smooth conduct of the traditional procession.
“Vehicular movement on major Lagos Island streets, particularly along the Eyo procession routes, will be restricted or fully closed to ensure the safe movement of the masquerades,” the advisory stated.
According to the notice, routes to be temporarily closed include the Third Mainland Bridge exit to Adeniji Adele Road; Adeniji Adele ramps inward and outward at Oyebanji; and Adeniji Adele inward to Third Mainland Bridge at Church Bus Stop.
Other affected routes include the descent from Osborne to Sura via Simpson Bridge; outward Sura inward Osborne through Simpson Bridge; outward Sura inward Obalende Bridge; and the Third Mainland Bridge exit to Sura.
The government also listed Obalende, CMS, Marina, Apogbon and Idumota among areas expected to experience traffic disruptions during the festival.
Motorists were advised to use alternative routes, with the assurance that officials of the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority (LASTMA) would be deployed to all diversion points to ensure a smooth flow of traffic.
The Eyo Festival, last held in 2017, is a major cultural event in Lagos, renowned for its iconic white-clad masquerades, rhythmic chants, dance and rich cultural symbolism.
