While the Ojude Oba festival dazzles with its display of culture and grandeur, the celebrations don’t end at the parade grounds. For the Egbe Bobasete Okunrin Akile Ijebu (1986-1988), the after-party has long been a key part of the experience—but also a recurring source of frustration. In previous years, issues like overcrowding, gate-crashing, inadequate catering, and even theft marred the festivities.
This year, however, the group took a different approach. By partnering with Unboxd, they introduced a QR code-based guest access system that transformed their after-party into a model of order, ease, and efficiency.
Unboxd, a fast-growing event tech platform, introduced its QR code guest verification and access system to the group’s exclusive after-party. The result? A dramatic shift from disarray to order.
Every member received a unique QR-coded access card, not just for themselves but for each of their guests. These cards were distributed in both physical and digital formats, allowing members—whether based in Ijebu Ode or abroad—to share access with their guests conveniently and securely. This flexibility was especially valuable for members in the diaspora who needed to manage their guest invitations remotely without worrying about logistics or last-minute printing.
At the entrance, a single smartphone scanned these cards, instantly identifying genuine attendees and filtering out uninvited guests. Verified guests received food tags and were directed to their assigned tables—no confusion, no crowding, no drama.
“We’ve had incidents of theft, people fainting, and guests having a bad experience in the past,” said a spokesperson for the group. “But this year, everything worked. Unboxd helped us know exactly who was in the room and cater to them properly.”
The Giwa of the Egbe Bobasete Okunrin Akile Ijebu (1986–1988), Omooba Olawole Maruf Badmus, who flew in from Canada to attend the festivities, was especially impressed. Having lost his phone in the uncontrolled crowd during the main procession at the Grand Pavilion, he saw firsthand the risks of unregulated attendance—and praised Unboxd’s solution for offering a smarter, safer alternative.
“What impressed me most was how quickly the queue disappeared with just one phone scanning QR codes. We need to see this level of organization at the main Ojude Oba event next year,” the Giwa stated.
Unboxd’s involvement not only enhanced security but also ensured a more personalized experience for each attendee—something that has long been missing at large-scale cultural celebrations in Nigeria.
“We’re thrilled to see Unboxd in action at such a globally recognized cultural event like Ojude Oba,” said Ridwan Egbeyemi and Tolu Adesina, co-founders of Unboxd. “We’ve seen our technology used at weddings, birthdays, and corporate events, but watching it bring order to an event of this scale and cultural significance is truly incredible. It validates our belief that event tech has a role to play not just in luxury venues, but in community spaces too. We’re hopeful to see Unboxd deployed at the main Ojude Oba celebration next year. Our goal is to transform how events are experienced in Nigeria and beyond.”
As the Ojude Oba festival continues to draw thousands from across the globe, Unboxd is proving that tech and tradition can beautifully coexist—and that great celebrations deserve equally great systems behind them.
