Ekiti State to Host 2026 Arts and Culture Festival

The Ekiti State Government is committed to leveraging arts and culture to enhance economic diversification through job creation and investment attraction. Prof Rasaki Bakare, the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, announced the 2026 Ekiti State Festival of Arts and Culture (EKIFEST), scheduled for August 11 to 15 in Ado Ekiti.

The festival's theme, “Continuity: Pathway to Enduring Shared Prosperity,” emphasizes talent discovery and youth empowerment, positioning Ekiti as a hub for creative excellence. Bakare noted that EKIFEST has become a platform for identity, unity, and innovation.

The festival will feature various cultural activities, including performances, traditional arts, and culinary arts, and will honor notable Ekiti citizens in the arts sector, including a posthumous award for the Olowe of Ise and awards for Chief Ojo Olowojolu, Odunlade Adekola, and Peju Ogunmola. Dignitaries expected at the event include the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, and other officials.