EKITI PLANS TO BOOST TOURISM THROUGH CULTURAL FESTIVALS

The Ekiti State Government is turning to the state’s rich cultural heritage to boost tourism, attract visitors and create more economic opportunities for local communities.

As part of the plan, the government has asked communities across the state to formally register their cultural festivals with the Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development.

The Director-General of the bureau, Wale Ojo-Lanre, said registering the festivals would help preserve Ekiti’s cultural heritage while giving them greater visibility and economic value.

He explained that official registration would also make it easier for the government to support festivals through better planning, branding, promotion, coordination and legal recognition.

According to him, well-organised cultural events can attract tourists and generate income for several businesses, including hotels, transport operators, restaurants, filling stations, event centres, food vendors and fashion designers.

Ojo-Lanre pointed to a recent cultural event in Ado-Ekiti that attracted more than 3,000 visitors, describing it as evidence of the economic opportunities that tourism can create when festivals are properly promoted.

The government also highlighted improvements in infrastructure, security and tourism planning as part of its efforts to make Ekiti more attractive to visitors. The completion of the Ekiti State International Cargo Airport was also described as an important development that could make the state easier to access.

One of the festivals receiving renewed attention is the Epa Festival in Omuo-Ekiti, which has now been formally registered with the state government.

The festival was last celebrated in 1982 before being revived in 2022. Organisers said there is growing interest among residents, particularly young people, to reconnect with their cultural roots.

The Chairman of Ekiti East Local Government, Oluwasegun Ojo, said the goal is to transform the Epa Festival from a local cultural event into a major tourism attraction.

The seven-day festival is expected to generate economic activity through accommodation, transportation, food, entertainment and trading. Organisers said hotels were fully booked during the previous edition.

Efforts are also being made to involve indigenes of Omuo-Ekiti living abroad, with a committee reportedly established in the Americas to coordinate diaspora participation.

Traditional rulers in Omuo-Ekiti have also expressed support for the festival’s registration, saying official recognition could help attract more visitors and create new opportunities for residents.

The Ekiti Government believes that with stronger promotion, private-sector investment and proper organisation, the state’s cultural festivals can become major attractions while preserving its heritage and supporting local businesses.