Nigeria’s festival economy is emerging as a major contributor to national growth, generating an estimated ₦11.2 trillion to GDP and 2.5 million job from Africa’s Biggest Street Party, according to Sir Gabe Onah, Chairman of the Cross River State Carnival Commission.
Speaking at the Naija7Wonders Zoom Conference hosted by Ikechi Uko, Onah said festivals such as Carnival Calabar, Durbar, Argungu Fishing Festival, and the New Yam festivals represent some of Nigeria’s most valuable yet underutilised tourism assets.
He noted that Carnival Calabar alone attracts about 2 million participants annually over a 30-day period, positioning it among the largest street festivals globally.
“Most cities of the world are known because of the festivals they offer. Rio is known for its carnival, Notting Hill is known for its carnival, and with every sense of humility, Carnival Calabar stands tall with two million participants on the streets,” he said.
Onah stressed that Nigeria’s cultural wealth—spread across over 250 ethnic groups, 500 languages, and more than 250 festivals—remains a largely untapped resource capable of driving economic diversification beyond oil.
He, however, called for a shift from competition to collaboration among stakeholders, alongside improved infrastructure, better audience experience, and stronger global positioning through digital platforms.
According to him, tourism offers a stronger multiplier effect than the oil sector, as it is deeply rooted in everyday life and requires value addition rather than heavy industrial investment.
