List of festivals in Nigeria
festival nigeria date back period arrival major religion ethnically culturally diverse society christian festival islam festival often celebrated way unique nigeria unique people locality nigerian tourism development corporation working state bring awareness significance traditional festival may become important source tourism revenue festival nigeria according minister information culture mr lai mohammed government working hard harness festival way showcasing boosting country diverse culture port harcourt book festival lagos book art festival labaf kaduna book art festival kabafest aké art book festival nigeria international book fair nibf chinua achebe literary festival abuja international film festival africa international film festival film eko international film festival film kaduna international film festival film african smartphone international film festival film light camera africa village art film festival villaffest baràà jalàm festival calabar carnival carniriv felabration gidi culture festival kamti festival star mega jam nupe day festival rhythm unplugged lagos international jazz festival lijf livespot x festival nation rhythm festival nigeria omabe festival afan national festival afro street festival njuwa fishing festival nwonyo fishing festival ikeji arondizuogu festival agila social economic carnival akata benue fishing festival annang festival art culture argungu fishing festival oviaosese festival ayet atyap annual cultural festival ariginya festival badagry festival bala baràà jalàm cultural festival bauchi state festival art culture carniriv durbar festival osunosogbo eyo festival festac golibe festival kaiama gani festival gidi culture festival igogo festival igue festival imo carnival sharo festival imo awka festival ikeji arondizuogu ijakadi festival common people offa town iromo festival igede ekiti lagos black heritage festival leboku machina annual cultural festival macuf nibo carnival nupe day festival kayokayo festival ofala festival ogwashi ukwu carnival ojude oba festival olojo festival oro festival lagos carnival unyeada fishing festival osori osos oronna festival sango festival song nigeria festival sonifes yam festival new yam festival nigeria ocho festival ogani festival common igala people kogi state specifically ankpa axis ito ogbo festival mmanwu festival ijele festival mbà boli festival mambilla taraba state nigeria celebrated annually november serially across mambilla plateau mark completion maize harvest kuumngwuoni thanksgiving god mbà katii festival mambilla taraba state nigeria celebrated december go round mambilla plateau mambilla cultural festival serial festival move one village another upon next minor sabbath next village series lagos game festival lgf lagos photo festival mr hobby appreciation festival potiskum writer association school festival powasfest tiger street food festival port harcourt book festival annual literary event port harcourt river state nigeria organized rainbow book club endorsed river state government since garden city literary festival currently known port harcourt book festival founded governor amaechi river state hundred literary fan flock garden city every year sixday event includes book fair writer workshop variety activity past festival attended recognized author hosted number celebrity festival began brainchild koko kalango thought mean propel tourism number heighten literacy awareness city port harcourt neighboring area originally scheduled september year coincide united nation international literacy day festival continued expand highly rated since debut lagos book art festival labaf annual art festival founded committee relevant art cora nigerianbased cultural organisation labaf feature number different activity including prefestival activity like book trek major festival activity including musical performance book reading film screening publishers’ forum book art exhibition panel discussion colloquium symposium book presentation cultural exhibition book review green festival event festival also enables participation student primary secondary school university nigeria introducing competition mentoring opportunity festival also selects different book yearly featured book festival form part festival discourse year kaduna book art festival also known kabafest annual literary cultural art event kaduna state nigeria took place first time july organized book buzz foundation also organizes annual aké art book festival collaboration kaduna state government gusau institute also first book festival occurs annually northern nigeria perception northern nigeria place conservative book literature kabafest conceived initiative kaduna state government way address misconception founding lola shoneyin book buzz say festival aim create new exciting opportunity social cultural interaction celebration promotion creatives northern region nigeria foster tolerance understanding dialogue book culture art society aké art book festival annual literary cultural art event founded nigerian writer lola shoneyin taking place abeokuta nigeria although featured new established writer across world focus promote develop celebrate creativity african continent diverse genre festival held first time lagos october october theme fantastical future aké art book festival described african continent biggest annual gathering literary writer editor critic reader shoneyin started festival according wanted place intellectual thinker come together talk african issue african soil festival named aké town abeokuta ogun state africa first nobel laureate literature wole soyinka born nigeria international book fair nibf annual cultural event republic nigeria known attended book fair whole africa international book fair nigeria second largest international book fair africa nibf brings together book enthusiast writer poet generally involved creation print audio digital book country annual fair main aim festival promote improve reading culture among nigerian african whole every second week may annually nibf host publisher bookseller illustrator author exhibitor reader display sell book discounted price nigeria international book fair inaugurated chairman event also known chairman nigerian book fair trust currently gbadega adedapo africa international film festival afriff annual film festival take place nigeria founded inaugural edition port harcourt river state nigeria afriff founded chioma ude passionate film buff entrepreneur event normally span week includes award show film training class keith shiri founderdirector africa picture artistic director festival afriff give honor category feature documentary short animation student short well award prize directing acting screenplay additional special award audience choice outstanding film jury award annual eko international film festival ekoiff international film festival held lagos nigeria eko international film festival founded established hope obioma opara ceo supple communication limited festival held also publisher supple magazine african cinema culture journal feature film preview review interview purpose eko international film festival develop tourism nigeria promoting appreciation art culture motion picture art science light camera africa film festival held annually lagos since festival established ugoma adegoke hosted life house inaugural light camera africa supported new york african film festival inc ran three day september – october felabration annual music festival conceived yeni anikulapokuti memory celebration father fela kuti nigerian musician human right activist known pioneering afrobeat genre music oneweeklong event held annually new afrika shrine ikeja attracts visitor different country thus considered official tourist destination lagos state government felabration held week fela kuti birthday event feature musical performance top music act nigeria guest appearance internationally acclaimed musician personality also consists street parade symposium social topical issue debate photo exhibition festival legendary performance star act like third world international reggae group face femi kuti ice prince surprise performance majek fashek lagos international jazz festival lijf also known lagos jazz fest annual celebration jazz music culture founded ayoola shadare inspiro production take place lagos music festival three day event edition divided twoday standard edition held freedom park lagos ne day luxury edition took place bay lounge waterfront rhythm unplugged music concert west africa ceo flytime group cecil hammond organised first concert annual concert organised flytime promotion subsidiary flytime group lagos edition rhythm unplugged unveiled artist including wizkid olamide davido tiwa savage seyi shay rhythm unplugged concert featured dialoguing cohosts notably cohosts julius agwu okey bakassi hosted several flytime promotion event early year rhythm unplugged also pioneered extensive artist lineup single concert event nigeria rhythm unplugged first organised cecil hammond via company flytime promotion entertainment event designed promote nigerian musician comedian time nigerian music industry gaining recognition international music scene nupe day celebration traditional cultural event celebration observed nigeria june event ordinarily celebrated nupe community yearly country nupe day event traditional festival celebration mark day british army defeated native african army june british protectorate lokoja approached bida military camp ogidi present kogi state bring resulting defeated british constabulary union jack seized nupe cavalry annual celebration founding idea nupe elder tribe unlike durbar festival pategi ragatta boating festival also among nupe event northern nigeria traditional event star mega jam series music concert nigeria held annually year held lagos abuja act played included awilo logomba shaggy usher koffi olumide cent ja rule kevin lyttle cool j akon kanye west tpain nelly na busta rhyme ludacris thus festival however stopped organiser stating due logistical challenge gidi culture festival often dubbed coachella lagos annual oneday music art festival take place lagos nigeria cofounded chinedu okeke oriteme banigo created response demand local youth culture live affordable accessible entertainment africa festival provides venue live band dj musical act perform also feature outdoor activity local vendor artisan main show feature lineup african act numerous country including nigeria ghana south africa congo kenya united kingdom goal festival encourage development african talent promote artist within continent overseas market livespot x festival annual music concert launched maiden edition lagos nigeria accra ghana concert organized livespot ownwed deola art alade edition livespot x festival unveiled artist including cardi b teni burna boy tiwa savage seyi shay joeboy ice prince dj cuppy reekado bank patoranking held lagos ghana livespot x festival featured fusion incredible live performance music impressive lighting special act immersive experience rolled one highoctane event christian account nigerian population living throughout country predominantly south main christian festival christmas easter way holiday celebrated often incorporates tradition earlier religion christmas held december year celebrate birth jesus christ public holiday nigeria igboland addition church service distribution gift festivity may include mmo masquerade dancing men twenty thirty dress colorful costume wear mask masquerade predate introduction christianity honor ancestral spirit area palm branch hung inside outside house sign peace symbol christmas easter held commemorate crucification jesus christ good friday celebrate resurrection three day later easter sunday public holiday nigeria easter usually occurs april easter sunday joyful occasion celebrated feasting dancing drumming sometimes public masquerade dancer majorly fasting exercise come ahead easter celebration known lent although practice denomination ie denomination give full regard christmas easter may time heightened tension christian muslim area christmas eve least people killed including shopper church attendee member extreme islamist sect boko haram blamed several incident report placed death toll high easter occurred election goodluck jonathan southerner christian elected president church burned part northern nigeria christian killed postelection violence half population nigeria adhere muslim religion muslim living throughout country particularly north muslim christian percent practiced religion two main muslim festival eid al fitri eid al kabir national public holiday different ethnic group different location way celebrating festival threeday festival eid al fitri celebrates end holy month ramadan period fasting dawn dusk day festival time give charity poor celebrate completion ramadan family friend eid al kabir known eid aladha elsewhere festival sacrifice important religious holiday celebrated muslim worldwide commemorate willingness abraham ʾibrāhīm sacrifice son ishmael ismāīl act obedience god god intervened provide ram sacrifice instead ram goat sheep cow camel sacrificed family eating part animal donating rest poor festival celebrated tenth day dhu alhijjah last month islamic calendar durbar festival celebrated culmination eid alfitr eid aladha durbar held hundred year northern state notably daura emirate gave opportunity conscript army display skill horseman modern time durbar held honor visiting head state include parade show competition horseman dressed vividly colored costume period weapon accompanied drum corp musician modern durbar festival include prayer start day followed parade town square front local emir palace horsemanship still main focus group must gallop full tilt past emir halt salute raised sword durbar festival developed important tourist attraction due presence covid part country northern state decided put durbar celebration curtail spread virus since celebration always attract number guest spectator little adherence covid safety protocol kayokayo festival yearly religious cultural state event held descendant oba kosoko commemorate king kosokos historic landing epe epe community lagos state known kayokayo literally mean eating satisfaction festival commemorated th day muharram islamic calendar month muslim celebration eidelkabir normally held first month islamic calendar afan national festival annually held town kagoro southern part kaduna state nigeria january chief kagoros palace field many cultural display troop within township vicinity across middle belt country said active year festival always held celebration bravery gallantry hunter named katagwan said known great hunting skill exploit argungu fishing festival annual fourday festival town argungu northwestern nigerian state kebbi began year mark end centuriesold hostility sokoto caliphate kebbi kingdom festival held sokoto river february march thousand fisherman equipped net compete catch largest fish attraction include dance music sporting competition exhibit art craft people various part world come see look festival festival believed started historic peace visit th sultan sokoto alhaji hassan dan muazu believed prayer sultan visit treated reception big fish made argungu water fertile special lead yearly commemoration sultan visit ikeji cultural festival arondizuogu imo state popular festival brings igbo speaking community around world together origin date back five century acclaimed biggest panigbo cultural community festival strong heritage international recognition witnessed thousand people yearly basis arguably biggest cultural festival igboland contemporary time passing year witnessed increase grandeur display dance sophistication allinclusive participation arondizuogu people friend festival marked colourful display different masquerade ogionu mgbadike nwaaburuja ozoebune prestigiously parading across market square admiration public essence festival rank among best surviving traditional ceremony arondizuogu people celebrate harvest first yam serf unify foster tie among aro people spread across entire igbo speaking state part cross river state appeal entire igbo speaking people home diaspora ikeji fourday festival propitiation thanksgiving feasting held annually march april reckoned igbo calendar four day correspond one igbo week four market day eke oyeorie afo nkwo day special significance represents one several dimension ikeji – festival renowned sumptuous feasting fascinating masquerade pulsating rhythm colourful performance traditional musical instrument used accompany masquerade ekwe wooden slit drum various size ogene metal gong bell maraca oja wooden flute flutist important element ikeji festival deftly communicates masquerade weaving soulful melody blending esoteric message intoxicating rhythm drum another interesting aspect ikeji raconteur known ima mbem imaginative tale delivered musical cadence initiated sometimes understand comprehend importance flutist ikeji festival vital communicates thing hidden ordinary eye masquerade combined soulful melody step gesture “blending esoteric message intoxicating rhythm drums” admiration crowd ikeji festival last day ram usually tied pole popular market square single thread somebody strongest protection juju whatever type expected leisurely walk ram amids heavy attempt juju people knock maim kill brave participate brave either abstain remain crowd spectator brave stand forward crowd one another approach tree view untying ram however contender attacked force beyond scope article explain view stopping reaching ram overwhelmed beat retreat back starting point eventually bravest among masquerade participating competition year festival overcoming odds reach ram untie take thunderous applause spectator followed visit house fellow kinsman food wine elevating status village year used commemorate person arondizuogu neighbouring town strongest juju voodoo power calabar carnival held calabar since including band competition parade food dancing called nigeria biggest street party carnival may many costumed participant million spectator broadcast television station across country culmination monthlong calabar festival calabar carnival hold end year nigeria keeping tradition carnival team march across street engage colorful display competition winner selected awarded participating team usually rehearse month advance carnival date carniriv english carneerev annual festival held port harcourt nigeria carnival start week christmas last seven day time several ceremonial event held hold cultural sacred significance port harcourt carnival bear certain uniqueness combine two carnival purely cultural carnival contemporary caribbean style carnival one give edge regional continental carnival present principal advantage must consummately exploited government river state recognizes carniriv biggest tourism export economic interest increasingly identifying tourism viable alternative fossil fuel economy–especially parts–the state government exhibited commitment developing carnival regionally unrivalled globally reckoned tourist attraction thus always made available necessary monetary backing needed event hold every year also worked hard ministry culture tourism see held nibo carnival commenced march continued four year always coinciding easter season year however significant change took place july annual nibo union convention held chicago united state rescheduled occur december december adjustment made aim facilitating greater participation annual event citizen nibo especially living abroad diaspora carnival kick vibrant street parade featuring youth dressed colorful costume along tantalizing array street food evening music festival december evening december th carnivalgoers gather tale moonlight symposium delf rich history igbo people emphasizing significance cultural heritage gathering also includes indulgent allyoucaneat buffet grand finale carnival marked ada nibo beauty pageant competition aim select next female child ambassador ambassador entrusted responsibility carrying various empowerment project throughout year tenure concludes eyo festival held lagos nigeria usually performed lagos island eyo also refers masquerade come festival widely believed eyo forerunner modern day carnival brazil one wear hat festival olojo festival ancient festival celebrated ife osun state nigeria celebrated yearly festival well known festival yoruba land described oba adeyeye enitan ogunwusi festival celebrate black race world yoruba word olojo mean day first dawn describes grateful heart man towards god creation existence human olojo festival culture festival calendar ileife osun state located southwestern part nigeria celebration remembrance “ogun” god iron believed first son oduduwa progenitor yoruba people festival held annually october new yam festival igbo people orureshi idoma area iwa ji iri ji ike ji depending dialect annual cultural festival igbo people held end rainy season early august igogo festival annual festival held ondo state nigeria festival usually last seventeen day olowo owo high chief owo kingdom dressed like woman celebrate pay homage queen oronsen mythical wife olowo rerengejen appreciation protection afiaolu new yam festival traditional festival held annually nnewi anambra state around august afiaolu festival commences “eke” day traditionally described “iwaji” scaling yam ikpa nku wood gathering herald availability new yam well thanksgiving god festival includes variety entertainment including performance ceremonial rite igwe king cultural dance girl masquerade dance omabe festival special kind festival differs festival celebrated annually omabe festival celebrated every five year interval festival treasure people imufu community nsukka region ezike enugu state festival existence several century meant lot imufu people also stand omen purification purging community evil believed masquerade bearer stand spiritual intermediate masquerade come purge community evil human spiritual seen appear fire community one masquerade eshiwe obele monwu oshagenyi eji eshiwe mgbedike mukwu monwu ajulaka agbeeji ajija agelle community said masquerade female allow come close masquerade considered possess mystical power ofala festival also called ofala nnewi annual ceremony practiced indegenes onitsha anambra state southeast nigeria term ofala english authority land derived two igbo word – ofo english authority ala english land festival described important surviving traditional ceremony onitsha indigene celebrated within two day mostly december january honour obi english king ofala festival traced back th century mean authority land one popular festival igbo land king obi festival come three time address people perform ritual led chief priest historian also believe festival associated new yam festival onitsha devotion king safety people main article osun festival osun festival held end rainy season usually august oshogbo sacred forest weeklong festival held honour river goddess osun important yoruba deity attended thousand people includes ceremony priest seek protection local community gift sacrifice goddess festival believed signify traditional cleansing city oshogbo regarded one unesco heritage site priest festival always witness huge turn spectator individual work life come together perform cleansing known iwopopo local sango festival also known world sango festival usually held august palace alaafin oyo festival observed forty country world held honor sango thunder fire deity celebration sango festival could dated far back year ago following departure sango popular yoruba òrìşà widely regarded founding father presentday oyo state one week festival renamed usually held august attracts attendee around globe including brazil cuba trinidad tobago caribbean sharo shadi flogging competition traditional rite passage jafun fulani men youth escorted girl led ring spectator bare chested armed whip noise singing drumming cheering rise crescendo young man must stoically endure flogging demonstrate manhood young man qualifies marry pass test administered another youth age size pas carry scar ordeal rest life sharo generally staged time dryseason guinea corn harvest festival idelkabir usually last week held marketplace tyes entertainment including dance musical performance trickster flogging ceremony main event yam festival popular holiday nigeria usually held beginning august end rainy season named yam common food many african country nigeria dancer wear mask reflect season aspect nature people offer yam god ancestor distributing villager give thanks spirit leboku name annual new yam festival celebrated ugep nigeria one five settlement yakurr honor earth goddess ancestral spirit land irijimmanwu festival held enugu state august festival two thousand masquerader across igboland state nigeria dance give acrobatic display wearing unique colorful costume igbo tradition masquerade thought reincarnated dead ancestor supernatural power ogun festival annual festival observed yoruba people ondo state nigeria honour ogun warrior powerful spirit metal work believed yoruba first god arrive earth preparation festival usually begin seventeen day day sighting new moon announced chief priest use upe local trumpet seven day sighting must take place beginning festival festival reach frenzy last three day dog main centre festival slaughtered first day two people moving opposite direction pull dog towards hence forcing slow painful death itoogbo obosi festival agelong festival date back four hundred year particular people obosi kingdom anambra state nigeria particularly aimed celebrating thanking god octogenarian kingdom ceremony hold every three year male female octogenarian honored special title inducted octogenarian age grade festival helped harness develop tourism potential obosi kingdom attracted people walk life ariginya festival festival celebrated one ondo state town called ikare akoko depending dialect mode pronunciation call aringinya festival said one foremost traditional festival celebrated town inception ikareakoko one town located southwest region nigeria yoruba area festival one many festival set celebrate virginity chastity among female gender yoruba land known worth high value pertaining decency purity festival help improve mindset dignity purity well value woman staying pure reserved wedding husband helped improve rate decency town young girl understands price worth one greatest virtue woman virginity medium stand sexual abuse tiger street food festival developed need support love food music art entrepreneur street food business whilst celebrating various flavour tiger style specially curated street food experience cold bottle tiger beer festival abundance food provided different food vendor also top nigerian artiste invited festival add entertainment atmosphere already filled lot street food refreshment art display festival usually street art graffiti art annage festival art culture began usually celebrated ikot ekpene people akwa ibom region located south southern nigeria first edition sponsored annang heritage preservation inc ahpi usually celebrated entire local government area make annang clan festival initiated order preserve anaañ history language culture festival aim preventing annang tradition cultural heritage undergoing extinction showcase promote rich natural endowment annang land akwa ibom state edition annang festival art culture tagged harnessing annang cultural asset economic gain imo awka festival festival celebrated annually people awka kingdom month may order venerate god celebrate festival appreciation imoka god favour request much better year ahead imooka shrine symbolic denoted special whitebellied monkey widely respected revered messenger shrine imo awka festival ancient cultural event came worship greatest male god revered awka known imoka deity imo awka festival two week event commence female paying homage imoka dancing opu eke dance oviaosese festival yearly celebrated festival ogoris town located ogorimagongo local government area kogi state nigeria share boundary edo state yoruba town hold oviaosese festival annually initiate young girl within adulthood called womanhood initiation done young girl maintained kept year preserved virginity rite done promote quality purity sanctity abstinence untouched physical emotional state young girl promote selfrestrain sexual discipline among young adolescent celebration intends encourage young girl keep premarital affair ogoris festival internationally recognized rich cultural event yam staple food west africa region classified tuber crop annual perennial crop known many specie general botanical name family dioscorea specie yam considered one major important crop nigeria olden day till date grown mostly state whoever community barn yam listed among wealthy set people community yam counted food well respected nigeria one major food accepted bride price man seeking woman hand marriage festival mostly celebrated among igbo people due different spiritual ideology surrounding yam ancestor story passed till today new yam festival celebrated annually since common yam annual crop though sometimes treated perennial crop due lifecycle festival hold yearly celebrate end beginning new season also said taboo eat new yam celebration mean pleasing appeal god spirit harvest god earth thanking bountiful harvest way god happy bring good harvest new season igbo community okpe kingdom abuja city ekinrinadde community ekinrinadde community egiland ado ekiti ikere ekiti ojude oba festival ancient festival celebrated muslim people ijebu ode town ogun state southwestern nigeria festival take place annually usually witnessed third day eid alkabir ileya pay homage show respect royal majesty awujale ijebuland one spiritual glamorous festival celebrated ijebuland generally ogun state whole oneday festival different cultural age group known regberegbe indigene friend associate far near parade front king palace third day eid al kabir festival popularly referred ileya yoruba language oba adetona one brought back age group th century