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LAGOS – Nigeria, the world’s most populous Black nation, is said to host about 1,000 mapped traditional festivals annually, with the capacity to stage over 3,000 cultural events.
Every state in the federation is blessed with unique cultures, historical sites, and crowd-pulling events.
In this edition, Travel & Leisure highlights ongoing and upcoming events across the country.
2026 Lisabi Day Festival
Lisabi Day is the annual commemoration of Lisabi Agbongbo Akala, the fearless warrior who liberated the Egba people. The ongoing 39th Lisabi Day celebration has featured a press conference, the Lisabi Trade Fair, visits to Olumo Rock, and traditional “Ayo” games.
Aare (Dr.) Lai Labode, convener of Egbaliganza, announced that delegations from at least 50 countries will pay homage to the memory of the Abeokuta legend and the Alake of Egba Land, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo.
The grand finale on Saturday, March 28, 2026, will feature His Excellency, Prince (Dr.) Dapo Abiodun, Governor of Ogun State, is the Special Guest of Honour. The event will feature a parade of nations, Woro dance, horse riding, and the Egbaliganza fashion show; musical presentation by the King of Juju music, Evangelist Ebenezer Obey-Fabiyi.
The event will close with a Thanksgiving service at the Cathedral of St. Peter, Ake, and a midnight “Oro” display.
Ibadan Travel and Tourism Expo (ITTE) 2026
The ITTE 2026 is scheduled for April 21–22, 2026, at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan. The theme is: “Tourism and Innovation: Expanding Frontiers for Inclusive Growth.”
Confirmed speakers include: Hon. Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica’s Minister of Tourism; Prof. Zachariah Yaduma, the Director-General of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN); Dr Louis-Georges Tin, the Prime Minister of the State of the African Diaspora (SOAD).
World Theatre Day
Other upcoming events include the 2026 World Theatre Day celebration organised by the Badagry Local Government Council. It will be held today under the theme “Theatre and Culture of Peace”.
The event features a keynote address by Hon. Apata Samson Nunayon on “Preserving Nigeria’s Culture Through Theatre.”
