The Edo State Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Emmanuel Okoebor, has said the Edo Carnival 2026 is targeting close to 100,000 participants and more than ₦1 billion in economic activity.
Okoebor, who is also the Chairman of the Inter-Ministerial Planning Committee for the carnival, disclosed this on Thursday at the sidelines of the Edo Carnival 2026 Press Conference held in Lagos.
He recalled that the maiden edition of the carnival in 2025 attracted more than 10,000 people. That edition, according to him, already demonstrated the economic potential of the event, with over 1,000 parade participants and 27 different costume types. Edo tailors produced the costumes and footwear, while more than 500 food-selling centres operated during the festival.
Okoebor explained that the 2026 edition is designed to grow the carnival into a long-term cultural brand capable of attracting tourists, creatives, businesses and investors.
“The bigger picture is that we want this carnival to continue for the next 10 years, 20 years, 30 years,” he said.
He noted that the projected economic activity would benefit hotels, restaurants, transportation, fashion, food, entertainment and other businesses supporting the carnival. The state government, he added, is focused on ensuring that the event creates tangible opportunities for young people and businesses.
“We are not just looking at the number of people that come. We are looking at how much money is going into the hands of our young people,” Okoebor stated.
He revealed that the 2025 edition was fully supported by private sector organisations with no financial burden on the state government and expressed confidence that stronger partnerships would further enhance the 2026 carnival.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Creative Economy, Mr. Chris Okaeben, said the carnival was designed to showcase Edo’s rich culture while creating opportunities within the creative economy. He emphasised that culture is more than entertainment — it is a means of transferring knowledge and identity from one generation to another.
Okaeben noted that Edo’s food, fashion, hair, festivals, arts and heritage have the potential to attract visitors and strengthen the state’s position as a tourism destination. He said this year’s edition would provide more opportunities for young people and creatives across different areas of the cultural and entertainment industry.
Carnival Consultant, Sophie Udoh, stated that the carnival is being developed as a long-term brand that should continue for many years. She identified limited community participation as one of the major challenges from the 2025 edition and revealed that the 2026 carnival would introduce an open band to allow more people to participate directly in the street parade.
The bands, she added, would become more dynamic, with each expected to tell a distinct story through costumes and representation.
The 2026 edition of the annual fiesta, themed “The Spirit of Edo”, is scheduled to be held from December 13 to December 26. The carnival is being organised by the state government with the support of Peak Rendezvous Global.
The event will feature pre-carnival and carnival activities, including registration, tours, auditions, opening of the carnival village, trade fairs and exhibitions, medical outreach, parade and band competitions.
