The Ogun State Government has expanded its official festival calendar from about 15 festivals in 2023 to between 48 and 50, as part of an aggressive strategy to promote cultural heritage, attract tourists and position the state as a leading tourism destination in Nigeria.
The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hon. Oluwasesan (Sesan) Abolaji Fagbayi, disclosed this while speaking at the Naija7Wonders Zoom Conference themed “Festivals and Tourism in Nigeria: A New Pathway.”
Fagbayi said the state government, through the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, had intensified efforts to promote indigenous festivals and carnivals across Ogun State, noting that government is increasingly partnering with traditional rulers and communities to co-host cultural events.
According to him, the growth in the number of festivals has not only created opportunities to attract tourists but has also encouraged the documentation and preservation of the state’s rich cultural heritage.
“When I assumed office in November 2023, I met the number of festivals in our calendar at 15. But for now, we have been able to take it up to about 48 to 50,” he said.
He added that another 15 to 18 festivals were still undergoing the process of securing approval for inclusion in the state’s official festival calendar.
The commissioner highlighted some of the major cultural events contributing to Ogun’s growing tourism profile, including the Ojude Oba Festival, Olowu Day, Lisabi Festival, Remo Day, Eyo Festival, as well as festivals in Ogun Waterside, Atesan and Iperu.
He said the Ojude Oba Festival, in particular, had continued to grow in size, momentum and attendance over the past three years, attributing the development to the support of the state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun.
Fagbayi also highlighted the emergence of the Eyo Festival in Iperu, noting that the state government had worked to promote Iperu as the origin and home of the festival. He said the event, which was celebrated in April this year, attracted a large crowd.
According to him, these festivals form part of nearly 50 cultural events in which the Ogun State Government is either co-hosting, supporting or participating.
Digital Promotion, Festival Calendar
Looking ahead, the commissioner said the state government plans to develop a comprehensive festival calendar while continuing to expand and improve existing events.
He said the government was also focusing on the digital promotion of festivals through social media, websites and other digital platforms to give people around the world access to information about cultural activities taking place in Ogun State.
As part of efforts to improve cultural information and storytelling, the ministry recently launched a magazine titled “Orewa,” which showcases the state’s festivals, cultural activities and tourist attractions.
READ: Africa: Arewa Festival Presented as a Blueprint for Unlocking Nigeria’s Festival Tourism Economy at Naija7Wonders Zoom Conference 3.0
Fagbayi said the magazine was launched about four months ago to provide people who are unable to physically attend festivals with information about the state’s cultural heritage. He disclosed that the second edition would be released within two months and distributed across the state’s three senatorial districts.
He said the broader objective was to ensure that residents and visitors could easily discover Ogun’s cultural festivals and tourism attractions.
Government Seeks Private Sector Investment
The commissioner also called for stronger public-private partnerships to develop Ogun State’s tourism infrastructure, noting that the state has close to 40 government-owned tourist sites.
He identified Olumo Rock as the state’s most internationally recognised tourism attraction but said the government was working to develop additional tourism sites while encouraging private investors to participate in the development and management of tourism assets.
Fagbayi said the experience from the renovation and commercialisation of Olumo Rock had demonstrated the potential for well-developed tourism sites to generate significant revenue for government.
“The difference we have seen in Olumo renovation under six months from when it was fully commercialized has really opened our eyes to, if we develop sites very well, government will gain more in revenue generating capacity,” he said.
He added that the government was also working to package festivals as tourism products that could be marketed to visitors coming into the state.
According to him, the initiatives being implemented by the present administration are intended to establish a foundation that future administrations can build upon to preserve and promote Ogun’s cultural heritage.
Tourism, Hospitality and Security
On hospitality, Fagbayi said the ministry maintains regular engagement with hotels and tourism businesses operating in the state, adding that registered hotels are part of a network through which visitors can access accommodation and other services.
He said the ministry holds quarterly meetings with the hotel association and business owners to discuss challenges facing operators and identify areas where government and private sector stakeholders can work together.
The commissioner also described the security situation in Ogun as relatively stable, commending security agencies for their efforts in maintaining peace across the state.
He expressed confidence that the state’s security environment would continue to support tourism and encourage visitors to explore its cultural and natural attractions.
Ogun Plans Return of Drum Festival
Fagbayi further disclosed that the state is planning to hold its Drum Festival again before the expiration of the current administration in May 2027.
He explained that the festival date would depend on the schedule of Governor Dapo Abiodun, adding that the Ministry of Culture and Tourism was awaiting confirmation from the governor before announcing the date.
The commissioner said the planned festival would further strengthen Ogun’s cultural tourism offering and provide another platform to showcase the state’s rich musical and artistic traditions.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to preserving Ogun’s heritage, promoting its cultural festivals and positioning the state as a destination of choice for tourists seeking relaxation, cultural experiences and authentic Nigerian heritage.
With the expansion of the festival calendar, increased digital promotion, renewed focus on tourism infrastructure and plans to attract private investment, Ogun State is seeking to transform its cultural assets into sustainable tourism products capable of generating revenue, creating jobs and strengthening the state’s position on Nigeria’s tourism map.
