The Edo Government says the 2026 Edo Carnival is targeting nearly 100,000 participants and more than ₦1 billion in economic activity as it seeks to position the annual event as a major cultural and tourism brand.
Commissioner for Finance and Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Planning Committee, Emmanuel Okoebor, disclosed this in Lagos on Thursday, September 10, saying the 2025 maiden edition attracted more than 10,000 people and created opportunities for tailors, food vendors, entertainers and other businesses. He said the 2026 edition would further expand opportunities for young people and local businesses.
Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Chris Okaeben, said the carnival would showcase Edo’s culture, food, fashion, arts and heritage while strengthening the state’s creative economy and tourism appeal. Carnival Consultant, Sophie Udoh, added that an open band would be introduced to encourage greater community participation, with bands expected to tell distinct stories through their costumes and performances.
The carnival, themed “The Spirit of Edo,” is scheduled for Dec. 13 to 26 and will feature tours, auditions, a carnival village, trade fairs, exhibitions, medical outreach, parades and band competitions. Organisers said the long-term goal is to build the event into a sustainable cultural brand capable of attracting tourists, creatives, businesses and investors.
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