The Ekiti State Government has announced plans for the 2026 Ekiti Festival of Arts and Culture (EKIFEST), scheduled to take place from August 11 to 15 in Ado-Ekiti.
The five-day festival aims to preserve the state’s cultural heritage while harnessing tourism and the creative economy to support local economic development.
Speaking at a press conference in Ado-Ekiti on Monday, July 27, the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Prof. Rasaki Ojo Bakare, said this year’s festival would be held under the theme, “Continuity: Pathway to Enduring Shared Prosperity.”
Bakare described EKIFEST as the state’s foremost cultural celebration, bringing together heritage, creativity and innovation. He said the festival also provides a platform for discovering emerging talent, preserving indigenous traditions and attracting investment to the creative sector.
The programme will feature competitions and exhibitions in traditional music and dance, visual arts, indigenous fashion, traditional cuisine, wrestling and local games. Other activities will include children’s visual arts and essay competitions, cultural performances, arts exhibitions and festival markets.
“Since its inception, EKIFEST has evolved into a rallying point for cultural identity, unity and innovation through the arts,” Bakare said. “The festival is designed to revitalise cultural and artistic learning while providing young people with opportunities to showcase their creativity.”
The opening ceremony will begin at 10 a.m. on August 11. Bakare said the decision to hold it in the morning, rather than in the evening as in previous editions, was taken in response to prevailing security considerations.
An evening command performance titled The Trials of Omoluabi will also be staged. Written and directed by Bakare, the play examines contemporary social and political issues through the concept of Omoluabi—a Yoruba ideal centred on good character, responsibility and integrity.
The finals of the festival’s major competitions will take place on August 14. These will include traditional wrestling, traditional music and dance, indigenous cuisine and a female drumming competition featuring participants from the state’s 38 Local Government Areas and Local Council Development Areas.
The festival will conclude on August 15 with a closing ceremony and the presentation of awards to competition winners.
Bakare said guests would include the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy or a representative; the Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture; state commissioners responsible for culture; traditional rulers; and other dignitaries.
Distinguished Ekiti indigenes will also be honoured for their contributions to the promotion of arts and culture and for helping to enhance the state’s public image.
Highlighting the festival’s economic value, Bakare said cultural events could stimulate tourism, commerce and investment. He noted that EKIFEST would create opportunities for traders, transport operators, hoteliers, food vendors, artisans and other businesses by attracting visitors from within and outside the state.
He added that the festival’s economic impact had already begun, with performers across the state rehearsing and earning income ahead of the event.
According to Bakare, engaging young people in cultural activities can also strengthen social cohesion and reduce crime by providing productive outlets for their talents and energy.
“The festival is not a jamboree,” he said. “It is a means to an end, and that end is economic prosperity.”
He called on media organisations to work with the state government in promoting Ekiti’s cultural heritage to national and international audiences, describing the media as a key partner in advancing tourism and the creative economy.
The press conference was attended by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr Adebanji Adelusi; the Director of Culture, Mr Joel Owooke; the Director of Performing Arts, Mr Mobolaji Fasakin; and other senior ministry officials.
