Oyo town came alive in dazzling colours as the 2025 Sango Festival welcomed thousands of visitors, cultural enthusiasts, and tourists from across Nigeria and beyond.
This year’s celebration was historic—not only was it the first under the reign of His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, the Alaafin of Oyo, but it was also the second since UNESCO officially inscribed the festival as a World Heritage event.
At a colourful ceremony, the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, presented the UNESCO World Heritage Certificate of Inscription to the Alaafin and the Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun. The occasion drew dignitaries, cultural custodians, and members of the Nigerian diaspora from Europe, the Americas, and other parts of Africa.
“This certificate is a global endorsement of the Sango Festival’s living heritage,” Musawa declared. “It honours our past while building the future—opening doors for cultural tourism, inspiring our youth, and strengthening Nigeria’s place on the world’s cultural map.”
She further noted that the inscription aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which places culture and tourism at the heart of Nigeria’s economic diversification.
Tourists at the festival were treated to colourful processions, energetic drumming, fiery chants, and thrilling performances that showcased Yoruba resilience and spirituality. Beyond the spectacle, the festival also offered opportunities to explore Oyo’s ancient palaces, traditional markets, and hospitality—making it a vibrant tourism package.
In his remarks, the Alaafin of Oyo expressed gratitude to UNESCO, the Federal Government, and the Oyo State Government for supporting the sustainability of the Sango Festival. He pledged the continued commitment of the Oyo traditional institution to preserving cultural heritage that fosters unity and progress.
With its new UNESCO status, the Sango Festival is set to attract even greater international attention, positioning Oyo—and Nigeria as a whole—as a premier destination for cultural tourism in Africa.
Traditional drummers, masquerade and others thrilled the tourists with iconic performances
