Benin City, Edo State — The Edo State Government has inaugurated a 20-member Carnival Planning Committee ahead of the 2025 Benin Carnival, an event expected to showcase the rich cultural heritage of Edo people and boost tourism inflows into the state.
The committee, chaired by Mr. Osamudiamen Aigbokhae, was inaugurated by the Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Hon. Elizabeth Uwaifo, on behalf of Governor Monday Okpebholo.
According to Uwaifo, the carnival is expected to attract participants from within and outside Nigeria, including representatives of cultural troupes, traditional institutions, and international tourism organizations. “This administration is committed to reviving our cultural pride and positioning Benin City as one of Africa’s leading tourism destinations,” she said.
The Governor charged the committee to ensure that this year’s edition is well organized, creative, and inclusive of Edo’s diverse ethnic expressions.
The carnival, scheduled for December, will feature street parades, traditional dance performances, art exhibitions, fashion showcases, and a cultural symposium on heritage preservation.
Stakeholders in the tourism sector have hailed the government’s effort, describing it as a timely initiative that will stimulate economic activity and promote Edo’s creative industry.
