Edo’s finance commissioner, Emmanuel  Okoebor, says the Edo Carnival 2026 is targeting close to 100,000 participants and more than ₦1 billion in economic activity.

Mr Okoebor, the chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Planning Committee for the carnival, disclosed this at the sidelines of the Edo Carnival 2026 Press Conference on Thursday in Lagos. He said the maiden edition of the carnival, held in 2025, attracted more than 10,000 people.

The commissioner noted that the 2025 edition provided an early indication of the economic opportunities, with more than 1,000 parade participants and 27 costume types. According to him, Edo tailors produced costumes and footwear, while more than 500 food-selling centres operated during the maiden edition.

Mr Okoebor said the 2026 edition was designed to grow the carnival into a long-term cultural brand that can attract tourists, creatives, businesses and investors.

“The bigger picture is that we want this carnival to continue for the next 10 years, 20 years, 30 years,” he said.

Mr Okoebor said the projected economic activity would benefit hotels, restaurants, transportation, fashion, food, entertainment and other businesses supporting the carnival. He noted that the Edo government was focused on ensuring that the carnival created tangible opportunities for young people and businesses.

“We are not just looking at the number of people that come. We are looking at how much money is going into the hands of our young people,” stated the commissioner.

According to him, the 2025 edition was solely supported by private sector organisations, with no financial burden on the state government. He expressed confidence that more partnerships would strengthen the 2026 carnival.

The Edo commissioner for arts, culture and creative economy, Chris Okaeben, said the carnival was designed to showcase the state’s culture while creating opportunities within the creative economy.

Mr Okaeben said culture was more than entertainment, and a means of transferring knowledge and identity from one generation to another. He said Edo’s food, fashion, hair, festivals, arts and heritage could attract visitors and strengthen the state’s position as a tourism destination.

Mr Okaeben added that the state wanted to build a stronger destination identity. He said this year’s edition would provide more opportunities for young people and creatives across different areas of the cultural and entertainment industry.

Carnival consultant Sophie Udoh said the carnival was being developed as a long-term brand that should continue for years. Ms Udoh said the organisers had identified community participation as one of the major challenges from the 2025 edition.

Ms Udoh said the 2026 carnival would introduce an open band to allow more people to participate directly in the street parade. She said the bands would also become more dynamic, with each expected to tell a distinct story through costumes and representation.

The 2026 edition of the annual fiesta, with the theme ‘The Spirit of Edo’, is scheduled to be held from December 13 to 26.

(NAN)