The Federal Government on Wednesday said it will be supporting the maiden Afikpo International Carnival, saying that the festival will be integrated into Nigeria’s rapidly expanding “Dirty December” tourism calendar.
The Afikpo International Carnival is the first of its kind in the South-East of the country and it will be modeled along the Calabar Carnival, the organiser said.
The Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, said the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s agenda of positioning Nigeria’s cultural heritage as a global tourism asset capable of attracting international visitors and boosting the economy.
Speaking on Wednesday, at the official flag-off and press briefing of the carnival in Abuja, Musawa said it was part of efforts to transform culture into a major driver of economic growth, job creation and national unity.
The minister, who was represented by her Special Assistant on Content Development, Doyin Diya Odusanya, described Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity as one of its greatest national strengths, insisting that the Afikpo International Carnival has the potential to become a globally recognised cultural festival.
He said: “We will try as much as possible to ensure that this festival is aligned with the ‘Dirty December’ project so that as tourists from across the world look for destinations to visit during the festive season, Afikpo will become one of the places they will consider, just like the Calabar Carnival and other major cultural events”.
Odusanya explained that cultural festivals have become powerful economic tools across the world.
He also argued that Nigeria possesses enormous untapped cultural assets capable of generating billions of naira annually if properly harnessed.
He cited Lagos’ booming December entertainment and tourism activities, where hotels are already recording full bookings months ahead of the festive period, as evidence of the immense economic opportunities available through cultural tourism.
“Culture is not just entertainment. It fosters peace, strengthens unity, creates jobs and stimulates economic prosperity. The Afikpo International Carnival is not only for the South-East; it is a festival for the entire nation,” he stated.
Odusanya added that the Afikpo carnival could follow a similar trajectory of global success of FESTAC ’77 and the emergence of “Dirty December” as a multi-billion-dollar tourism brand if sustained and properly marketed.
He therefore urged the organisers to draw lessons from successful international cultural festivals, including the Imbalu Cultural Festival, which attracted participants from over 100 countries and more than 50 foreign ambassadors.
According to him, Nigeria remains one of the world’s leading cultural destinations, with its festivals, cuisine, music and traditions attracting growing international interest.
“There is no country like Nigeria when it comes to culture and festivals. Visitors who attend our festivals leave with unforgettable experiences and always want to return. That is why we must continue to invest in our cultural assets,” he added.
He assured the organisers of the ministry’s unwavering support, saying both the minister and the Permanent Secretary were committed to ensuring the success of the initiative through collaboration and strategic partnerships.
Also speaking, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Abdulkarim Ozi Ibrahim, represented by Mrs Blessing Onwughalu, described the Afikpo International Carnival as a strategic platform for showcasing Nigeria’s cultural identity while promoting tourism, entrepreneurship and community development.
Onwughalu said the festival goes beyond entertainment by serving as a vehicle for preserving cultural heritage, strengthening national cohesion and creating economic opportunities for artists, performers, entrepreneurs and local businesses.
“The Afikpo International Carnival is more than a celebration of culture. It is a platform that showcases our unique identity, strengthens national unity, promotes tourism, empowers our creative talents and stimulates economic growth within our communities,” she said.
She noted that as Nigeria pursues economic diversification, cultural festivals have become critical drivers of sustainable development, employment generation and international cultural exchange.
She reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting initiatives that project Nigeria positively on the global stage while creating new opportunities across the creative economy value chain.
She called on government agencies, the private sector, development partners, community leaders and the media to collaborate towards delivering a successful carnival.
The 2026 Afikpo International Carnival is scheduled to hold from December 26 to 29 in Afikpo, Ebonyi State, and is expected to feature colourful cultural displays, traditional performances, indigenous cuisine, arts exhibitions and other tourism attractions aimed at drawing visitors from across Nigeria and beyond.
