From left: Miss Nigeria, Doris Ogah; Chairman, Inter-Ministerial Planning Committee for 2026 Edo Carnival and the Commissioner for Finance, Hon. Emmanuel Okoebor; Special Adviser to the Edo state Governor on Protocol, Daniel Eromonsele; Mrs Rita Dominic-Anosike; Commissioner for Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hon. Christopher Ewere Okaeben and Miss Edo Carnival 2025, Peace Idonuagbe during a press conference to unveil Edo Carnival 2026 at Protea Hotel Ikeja Lagos Thursday, September 10.
Blessing Taiwo
With the vision to become one of Africa’s most recognised cultural festivals, the Edo Carnival 2026 has expressed readiness to host over 10,000 local and international participants for its 2nd edition in Benin City, the state capital.
The Edo Carnival 2026 themed: The Spirit of Edo, is organised by Peak Rendezvous Entertainment Global Limited with the support of the Edo State Government. It is scheduled to hold from December 13–26.
Speaking during a press conference held in Ikeja, Lagos on Thursday, the Chairman of the inter-ministerial committee for the carnival, Hon. Emmanuel Okoebor, said the event will showcase Edo’s rich cultural heritage and promote tourism.
He noted that the carnival will create opportunities for the creative industry, including music, fashion, film, dance, visual arts, culinary arts and entertainment, while empowering young people and local talents by providing platforms for exposure, participation, mentorship and economic opportunities.
Okoebor, who is the Edo State Commissioner for Finance said that the 14-day event will drive local economic activities through tourism, hospitality, transportation, accommodation, food, fashion, among others attracting investors and strategic partners to the state.
According to him, “The Edo Carnival is more than an occasion for celebration. It is an opportunity to tell the Edo story — a story rooted in centuries of history, culture, creativity, resilience, and enterprise.
”Our vision is therefore clear: to build an Edo Carnival that Edo people can proudly call their own, and that visitors will look forward to experiencing year after year.”
The chairman said the committee will work closely with traditional institutions, cultural groups, creative community, private sector partners, entertainers, hospitality operators, local businesses, security agencies and residents of the state for a successful event.
In his remarks, the Commissioner for Art and Culture, Creative Economy, Chris Ewere Okaeben appreciated Governor Monday Okpebholo for projecting and preserving the Edo rich culture for future generations.
Okaeben explained that culture is beyond entertainment and jamboree as it involves the transmission of knowledge from one generation to another.
“The second edition of Edo Carnival is going to be a blast,” he assured.
Dr. Ann-Sophie Udoh, Carnival Consultant, Peak Rendezvous, said for this year’s carnival, there will be an open band for all to participate in the street parade.
Udoh noted that each band will be uniquely dressed to project diverse costumes and its representation.
“This year, we will have an open band. An open band incorporates everybody being a part of the street parade. Also, we are going to be more dynamic with the bands and their interpretation.
“As you see in the slides, last year, the bands were wearing the same costumes. We’re not going to do that this time. This time, each band is going to express its distinct story through their costumes and their representation,” she said.
Registration for participants will begin on September 12 on the Edo Carnival website– www.edocarnival.com.
Band members, vendors, media, volunteers and pageant entrants can register their interest for the 2026 carnival. A code will be sent and accreditation will follow.
The 14-day carnival will feature trade fair and exhibition, medical outreach, orphanage visitation, pool party, fitness work out, concert, competitions, talent hunt, beauty pageantry, cultural band, parade and more.
The carnival village is Garrick Memorial School grounds, Ekenwan Road, Benin City.
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