LONDON: London-based diaspora community platform Ijoko Omo Yoruba is preparing to host Igbadun Lo Ku, a cultural celebration bringing together Yoruba music, food, traditional fashion, social connection and charitable giving.
The event will take place on Saturday, 17 October 2026, from 5pm to 11pm at Espin Zar, NW10 6HZ. Organisers describe the gathering as “a night to celebrate community, culture and create change”, with an evening designed to recreate the atmosphere of the traditional Yoruba hall party and owambe while supporting a social cause.
A celebration rooted in culture and belonging
Ijoko Omo Yoruba was founded in London in May 2024 by Iyimide Martins after she recognised that many Yoruba people growing up or living in the diaspora lacked accessible spaces in which to explore their language, stories and traditions. The platform says its work centres on four aims: educating people about Yoruba heritage, connecting members of the community, celebrating the culture and helping to preserve it for future generations.
Since its establishment, the organisation has developed a programme of language sessions, workshops, cultural discussions, music and food events, social gatherings and community initiatives. Its official website records more than 21 hosted events and over 400 active members, reflecting a growing demand for spaces where people can reconnect with their heritage in a welcoming and contemporary setting.
Igbadun Lo Ku, presented with the English phrase “All That’s Left Is Enjoyment”, will also mark two years of the organisation’s community-building work and commemorate Nigerian Independence. The event is intended to provide an occasion for guests to enjoy the ceremonial richness of Yoruba social life without waiting for a wedding or family celebration.
“Come for the culture. Come for the community. Come to make a change. Come for the igbadun.”
Ijoko Omo Yoruba
Music, traditional dress and the return of the hall party
Guests can expect a live Yoruba band and a Yoruba DJ playing Afrobeats, Fuji, Juju, Apala and familiar classics. The programme will also include games, prizes, networking, dancing, professional photography and videography. Food and refreshments advertised for the evening include amala with gbegiri and ewedu, popularly known as abula, alongside ayamase, puff puff and drinks.
The dress code is Yoruba traditional attire. Guests are encouraged to wear aso oke, adire, Ankara, lace or previously worn aso ebi that deserves another appearance. Professional gele artists are expected to be available at the venue, adding another recognisable element of Yoruba ceremonial presentation to the evening.
Beyond the entertainment, organisers say the gathering is designed to strengthen cultural confidence and community relationships among Yoruba people in Britain. Social occasions of this kind can become informal classrooms in which language, music, clothing, food and customs are experienced rather than merely discussed. They also create opportunities for younger members of the diaspora to see their heritage presented as living culture rather than distant history.
Celebration with a charitable purpose
The organisers have announced that the evening will include fundraising for Lisa Academy in Lagos. The event information describes the organisation as a free boarding school working to provide education and opportunities for children who need support. By combining celebration with fundraising, Ijoko Omo Yoruba says it hopes to connect the enjoyment of the evening with a practical contribution to young people in Nigeria.
That social purpose reflects the wider direction of the platform, which has previously combined cultural programming with community initiatives. Its activities have included social events, cooking sessions, language learning, a diaspora football fixture and a blood donation campaign partnership.
Igbadun Lo Ku is restricted to guests aged 21 and over, and valid identification will be required. Organisers are also emphasising punctuality, with doors opening at 5pm and the programme scheduled to conclude at 11pm.
Event information
- Event: Igbadun Lo Ku
- Date: Saturday, 17 October 2026
- Time: 5pm to 11pm
- Venue: Espin Zar, NW10 6HZ, London
- Dress code: Yoruba traditional attire
- Age: 21 and over, with identification required
Those wishing to attend can view the official event information and obtain tickets. Further information about the organisation, its cultural programmes and community membership is available through the Ijoko Omo Yoruba website.
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