As Cross River State prepares to mark the 20th anniversary of the Carnival Calabar and Festival, the state government has vowed to use this year’s edition to restore the state’s position as West Africa’s leading tourism destination.
Governor Bassey Otu made the declaration on Sunday during the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony at Millennium Park, where he appeared alongside former governors Clement Ebiri, Donald Duke, Liyel Imoke, and Ben Ayade in a symbolic show of unity for the state’s tourism revival. The governor highlighted tourism as a key pillar of his administration’s economic agenda, pledging to grow the sector through human capital development, rural transformation, industrialisation, and enhanced global visibility.
“Twenty years of the Carnival Calabar and Festival is not just a celebration for Cross River State, but for Africa and the world. We invite governments, tourists, creatives, brands, and cultural institutions to join us in commemorating two decades of excellence,” said Joseph Nneji, a culture and entertainment consultant.
Originally conceived as a modest tourism initiative, the Carnival Calabar has grown into Africa’s biggest street festival, attracting millions of participants both physically and online. Its global reach now spans countries including Brazil, Colombia, France, Germany, South Africa, and Ghana.
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The 2025 edition will feature international concerts, elaborate street parades by popular bands such as Seagull, Passion 4, Bayside and Freedom, bikers’ shows, heritage exhibitions, fashion showcases, film events, and beauty pageants. Performers from at least ten countries are expected to participate, while curated heritage presentations will showcase indigenous culture to global audiences.
In line with its tourism and economic objectives, the state government is pairing the celebrations with a dedicated investment summit aimed at creating new opportunities for local businesses, artisans, performers, and investors, while boosting Nigeria’s creative and hospitality sectors.