The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Owoade I, has approved a modification to this year’s Oro Festival schedule to ensure female candidates writing the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE) are not prevented from sitting their examinations.
The adjustment, announced on Wednesday, affects the movement restrictions traditionally observed during the annual festival, which is scheduled to take place in Oyo town from July 23 to July 29, 2026.
The decision was disclosed in a statement issued by the Alaafin’s Director of Media and Publicity, Bode Durojaiye.
According to the statement, the modification became necessary because the BECE for Junior Secondary School Three (Basic 9) students coincides with the final day of the traditional festival.
Explaining the decision, the Baale of Jabata, Chief Orowale Ajani, said female candidates affected by the customary restrictions would now be permitted to move freely until 5 p.m. on July 29 to enable them to participate in the national examination.
“The female students should note that restrictions of movement placed on them on the last day of the festival, which is 29th of this month, has been shifted till 5 p.m. to enable concerned pupils write the national examinations,” Ajani said.
The statement explained that the BECE is conducted by state Ministries of Education, the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or the National Examinations Council (NECO), depending on the state.
The Oro Festival is a longstanding Yoruba traditional institution observed in several communities. It is regarded as a sacred, male-only rite performed to honour deities, cleanse communities of evil influences and uphold customary justice, particularly following the death of a reigning monarch.
As part of the tradition, women, non-initiates and visitors are usually required to remain indoors during designated periods of the festival, with movement restrictions strictly enforced.
The latest adjustment reflects an effort by the traditional institution to accommodate students whose academic activities coincide with the annual observance.
The development follows a similar decision in Lagos State earlier this month. The Lagos State Government postponed some BECE papers initially scheduled for July 1 in parts of Ikorodu Division after the declaration of the Oro Festival in the affected communities.
State authorities said the postponement followed consultations with relevant stakeholders and was aimed at safeguarding candidates, examination officials and other participants while respecting the traditional observance.
The Oyo adjustment is expected to allow affected female candidates to complete their examinations without disrupting the cultural activities associated with the Oro Festival.
