Edo to position state as Nigeria’s leading tourism hub, plans 2026 carnival

With Okorie Uguru

okorieuguru@gmail.com

**The Edo State government said it is working hard to position the state as Nigeria leading cultural tourism destination. **

This was disclosed during the unveiling of dates and activities for the 2026 Edo Carnival.

The Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Planning Committee for the carnival who is also the state’s Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Emmanuel Okoebor, while speaking to the media in Lagos said the carnival would showcase Edo’s cultural heritage and also promote Benin City as a tourist destination.

His words: “Our vision is to build a carnival that belongs to the people, reflects the soul of Edo, welcomes the world and leaves a lasting economic, cultural and social impact.

“Beyond the celebration itself, Edo Carnival 2026 will serve as a strategic platform for showcasing Edo’s rich cultural heritage and preserving its traditions for future generations and promoting Edo State as a premier tourism destination in Nigeria and Africa.”

Okoebor said more than 10,000 people from Nigeria and the diaspora were expected to participate in the carnival, scheduled to hold in Benin City from December 13 to 26.

Explaining further, he said the carnival village will be located at Garrick Memorial on Ekehuan Road.

Okoebor said the 2026 edition would provide opportunities for people in the creative industry, including musicians, fashion designers, filmmakers, dancers, visual artists and culinary professionals, and that the carnival was designed to showcase the “rich heritage, creativity, hospitality and contemporary identity of the Edo people.”

The commissioner said the event was also expected to generate business for the tourism, hospitality, transportation, accommodation, food, fashion and retail sectors.

He added that the state hopes to attract visitors, brands, investors and partners from Nigeria and abroad through the carnival.

“Edo Carnival 2026 seeks to create a world-class platform where culture meets creativity, entertainment meets tourism, and tradition meets innovation, positioning Edo State as a leading destination for cultural tourism, investment and creative expression,” he added.

The 13-day event will feature a trade fair and exhibition, medical outreach, orphanage visitation, jean festival, pool party, food festival, bikers’ carnival, talent hunt, cultural carnival, fashion show, music concert, beauty pageant, parade and band competition, as well as an arts and crafts exhibition.

The technical partner for the event, Jacqueline Udoh of Peak Rendezvous Entertainment Global Limited, said the 2026 edition would be bigger than the previous one, which she said attracted about 1,000 participants.

The Secretary of the planning committee, Iryn Omorogiuwa, said the carnival would promote Edo’s culture and creativity by connecting its past, present and future.

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