Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has criticised the decision to allow a 10-year-old girl to serve as the Arugba, or sacred calabash bearer, during the 2026 Osun-Osogbo Festival in Osun State.
Sowore described the development as an act of child abuse, arguing that the young girl was too young to fully understand or consent to the responsibilities attached to the revered position.
The controversy followed the participation of Princess Alimot Osunbunmi, who carried the sacred calabash during the annual procession to the Osun Sacred Grove in Osogbo on Friday.
According to organisers of the festival, the event marked a historic moment, as Alimot became the youngest person ever chosen to perform the role.
The Arugba occupies a central position in the annual Osun-Osogbo Festival, a cultural and spiritual celebration that attracts visitors from across Nigeria and other parts of the world.
During the procession, the Arugba carries a sacred calabash believed to contain offerings dedicated to Osun, the Yoruba goddess of fertility and prosperity.
Reports indicated that the young princess was selected through the traditional Ifa divination process in March 2025 to succeed Osuntomi Ewatomi, whose tenure reportedly ended after her marriage.
Reacting to the development, Sowore maintained that the practice raised serious concerns regarding the rights and welfare of children.
According to him, the girl could not freely and expressly give consent because of her age, adding that cultural practices should not override the protection of children.
His comments have sparked widespread debate, with many Nigerians expressing differing opinions on the issue.
While some people supported Sowore’s position and argued that children should be shielded from responsibilities of such magnitude, others defended the practice as an important aspect of Yoruba culture and tradition that has been preserved for generations.
The Osun-Osogbo Festival remains one of Nigeria’s most prominent cultural events and has been recognised by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) as an important element of the world’s cultural heritage.