Thousands of residents, tourists and dignitaries on Thursday gathered at the Kwara Baseball Park, Adewole, Ilorin, for the 2026 Ilorin Emirate Grand Durbar celebration.

The annual Durbar, held during the Eid-el-Kabir festivities in Ilorin, featured colourful horse processions, traditional drumming, music, praise singing and cultural displays.

Among dignitaries at the event were Kwara State Governor, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, and the Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, alongside traditional title holders, government officials, clerics and business leaders.

Hundreds of horse riders entertained guests with coordinated parades and equestrian performances as residents and visitors dressed in colourful traditional attire filled the venue.

Security operatives, including personnel of the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, were deployed around the venue to maintain order and ensure safety.

The Durbar Committee had earlier announced enhanced security measures for the festival, including the installation of CCTV cameras at strategic locations and arrangements for about 500 horses to participate in the event.

Speaking during the celebration, the Balogun Alanamu of Ilorin, Alhaji Usman Atolagbe, described the emirate as a model of peaceful coexistence among different ethnic groups.

“Fulani, Yoruba, Nupe, Baruba, Hausa, Kanuri, Gobirawa and several other communities have continued to live together peacefully under the Ilorin Emirate structure,” he said.

Also speaking, the Mogaji of Odo-Okun Community, Alhaji Kabir Dogo, said the annual Durbar had continued to promote unity, tourism and economic activities in Ilorin and across Kwara State.