Just when many thought his unforgettable 2024 appearance would be impossible to top, businessman and NG Clearing Limited CEO Farooq Oreagba returned to the Ojude Oba Festival with another head-turning entrance that instantly set social media buzzing.
The corporate executive, who became one of the most recognizable faces of the festival last year, arrived at the 2026 edition in a striking white agbada richly adorned with deep purple and gold geometric embroidery.
The elaborate detailing across the chest gave the traditional outfit a regal appearance that perfectly matched the grandeur of the occasion.
Completing the look was a matching purple Fila Gobi cap, multiple-layered gold chains, dark sunglasses, a luxury wristwatch, and black riding gloves. In a nod to the image that helped make him a viral sensation, Oreagba was also seen carrying his now-famous unlit cigar.
The appearance immediately reignited online conversations, with many Nigerians once again praising his effortless blend of traditional Yoruba fashion, confidence, and contemporary style.
For many festival goers, Oreagba’s arrival has become one of the most anticipated moments of the annual celebration.
His rise to nationwide fame began during the 2024 edition of the festival, when photos and videos showed him riding a decorated horse through the festival grounds, dressed in a green-and-lemon-colored agbada and confidently holding a cigar.
The images spread rapidly across social media platforms, transforming him from a respected business person into an unexpected cultural icon.
Within days, Nigerians had crowned him the “King of Steeze,” a nickname that quickly became synonymous with elegance, confidence, and effortless style.
Beyond the memes and viral posts, many cultural commentators noted that Oreagba’s popularity helped introduce younger audiences and international observers to the significance of the Ojude Oba Festival.
The impact of that viral moment was later formally recognised when the National Council for Arts and Culture named him an honorary cultural ambassador in July 2024.
At the time, NCAC Director General Obi Asika praised Oreagba for helping bring global visibility to Yoruba culture and one of Nigeria’s most celebrated traditional festivals.
However, Oreagba’s story extends far beyond fashion and internet fame.
In the months following his viral breakthrough, he publicly shared details of a deeply personal battle with cancer, revealing that he was diagnosed in 2014 and later underwent extensive treatment, including a bone marrow transplant.
His openness about the experience earned him even greater admiration, with many Nigerians seeing him as a symbol of resilience, strength, and perseverance.
As an indigene of Ijebu Ode, he brings cultural significance to his participation in the festival that goes beyond the attention it generates online.
The Ojude Oba Festival itself remains one of the most important cultural gatherings in Yorubaland.
Held annually in Ogun State shortly after Eid al-Adha, the event brings together age-grade groups known as regberegbe, horse riders, traditional performers, community leaders, and members of the Ijebu community to pay homage to the Awujale of Ijebuland.
Dating back to the nineteenth century, the festival has evolved into a major cultural attraction that draws dignitaries, celebrities, tourists, and cultural enthusiasts from across Nigeria and beyond.
Yet once again, amid the colourful displays, horse processions, and cultural performances, Farooq Oreagba managed to command a significant share of public attention.
Two years after becoming an unlikely internet sensation, the businessman has shown that his appeal was never just about a viral photograph. It was about confidence, cultural pride, and a style presence that continues to captivate audiences each time he steps onto the Ojude Oba stage.
For many Nigerians following the festival online, one verdict seemed unanimous: the “King of Steeze” has successfully defended his crown.
