For the first time in its history, Anambra State, officially monikered the Light of the Nation, will gear up for celebration of dance, theatre performances, tourism excursions, and entertainment events as the maiden edition of the Anambra State Unity Festival (ANUFEST 2026), takes centre stage from September 21 to 27, with activities spread across the 21 Local Government Areas of the State.

Aimed at showcasing Anambra State’s rich heritage, while driving economic growth, ANUFEST will bring together culture, sports, enterprise and tourism in a bid to create unity and create opportunities for young “Ndi Anambra.” — people of Anambra.

Described as “more than a carnival,” the organisers of ANUFEST 2026 say the week-long festival is designed to celebrate the state’s cultural heritage while promoting domestic tourism, youth empowerment and enterprise.

The festival themed “Experience Anambra: Culture. Tourism. Unity. Enterprise,” will cut across the 21 Local Government Areas, with each zone hosting cultural displays, exhibitions and community events, culminating with a spectacular finale in Awka.

ANUFEST is an ambitious project with one message: Ndi Anambra bu otu — The people of Anambra are one. And in a state famous for trade, enterprise and individual town unions, that message matters. Ask anyone in government and they will tell you the same thing: culture is no longer just about entertainment. It is about economy, unity, and telling your own story before someone else tells it for you.

According to the Director of the Anambra Unity Festival (ANUFEST), Mr Ifeanyi Eziukwu, the festival was designed to promote unity, preserve cultural heritage, boost tourism, and stimulate economic growth across Anambra State.

On June 22, Eziukwu announced that the week-long festival is designed to celebrate the identity and heritage of Anambra people while creating opportunities for youths, businesses, and local communities.

Activities lined up for the festival include cultural displays, theatre performances, tourism excursions, wrestling contests, entrepreneurship summits, creative exhibitions, entertainment events, and community engagement programmes.

Key highlights for the festival will feature the Ugokwesiri and Dike Anambra Reality Series, as well as the ANUFEST Unity Cup involving teams from all 21 Local Government Areas. The festival will also feature special stage performances in honour of literary icon Chinua Achebe and Nigeria’s first President, Dr Nnamdi Azikiwe, while the grand cultural gala will feature EKUMEKU, a production by the National Troupe of Nigeria directed by Prof. Ahmed Yerima.

Meanwhile, the inaugural Anambra State Unity Festival (ANUFEST) has secured official backing from the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA), describing the event as a platform to promote national unity, tourism development and foster economic prosperity

The Director-General of NTDA, Mr Ola Awakan, during a media briefing ahead of the festival, stated that the event will showcase Anambra State’s rich cultural heritage and tourism potential while creating opportunities for investments and enterprise.

“There will be tours to various destinations across the 21 local government areas of Anambra State which many people do not know exist. Our aim is to expose these attractions and encourage tourism,” he said.

He noted that the festival was also aimed at empowering young people, promoting community pride and attracting tourists, investors, government officials and other stakeholders to the State, adding that the event has secured strategic support from major national institutions, including the National Theatre and the National Troupe of Nigeria.

A senior member of the Anambra State Ministry of Culture, Entertainment and Tourism said: “ANUFEST is not about politics. It is about us — our language, our food, our dance, our story. In 2026, we will remind ourselves and the world that Anambra is one.”

Cultural stakeholders say the timing is important. With debates around identity and development in the Southeast, ANUFEST offers a neutral, apolitical platform to celebrate what unites Anambra people.

With September officially here, radio commercials, jingles and billboards are actively promoting ANUFEST 2026: One People, One Culture, One Future are expected across the state. From September 21 to 27, 2026, Anambra will not just be selling goods. It will be generating significant economic activities in the hospitality, transportation, tourism, food services, media, fashion, technology, and small-scale enterprise sectors, and inviting Nigeria and well-wishers across the globe to come and watch.