An elderly woman has unexpectedly become one of the most talked-about figures from this year’s Ojude Oba Festival after a video of her confidently smoking a cigar went viral, drawing both admiration and criticism across social media.
The clip, reportedly captured at the Awujale’s Palace in Ijebu-Ode and widely circulated around 7 a.m. on May 29, shows the unidentified woman dressed in elaborate traditional attire. She wears a striking blue-and-yellow gele, layered red coral beads, and holds an orange feather fan, exuding a regal presence as she exhales cigar smoke with theatrical flair.
The moment quickly caught the attention of festivalgoers and online audiences alike, with many praising her boldness and charisma. “Mama said retirement na scam,” one user joked, while others celebrated her as a symbol of confidence and individuality among older generations.
The Ojude Oba Festival, a major cultural event in southwestern Nigeria, is known for its vibrant display of Yoruba heritage, where families and age-grade groups parade in coordinated attire to pay homage to the Awujale of Ijebuland. In recent years, the festival has also become a social media spectacle, blending tradition with modern expressions of style and identity.
This year’s viral moment has drawn inevitable comparisons to Farooq Oreagba, the businessman whose stylish horseback appearance at a previous edition of the festival turned him into an internet sensation. Like Oreagba, the elderly woman’s presence has been widely described as commanding and unconventional, pushing the boundaries of traditional expectations.
However, not all reactions have been positive. Some critics argue that the act of smoking, particularly in a culturally significant setting like Ojude Oba, may clash with the values the festival seeks to uphold. “There’s a difference between style and cultural respect,” one commentator wrote, questioning whether such displays align with Yoruba customs.
Others have dismissed the criticism, noting that the festival has evolved over time and now reflects a broader mix of personal expression and cultural pride. “Ojude Oba is no longer just about tradition; it’s also about personality and presence,” said a Lagos-based cultural analyst. “Moments like this show how culture adapts in the age of social media.”
As the debate continues, the viral clip has once again highlighted the growing intersection between heritage and digital culture. For many observers, the elderly woman’s now-iconic moment underscores how a single act, captured and shared online, can redefine the narrative of a centuries-old festival.
Whether celebrated as fearless self-expression or questioned as a break from tradition, her presence has ensured that this year’s Ojude Oba Festival will be remembered long after the festivities have ended.
See Wetin this mama dey do for Ojude Oba this early morning 😭😂✨ pic.twitter.com/53532FOZKF
— Oyindamola🙄 (@dammiedammie35) May 29, 2026