Nigeria is s fun and beautiful country with a vast area of space and culture. This country is home to a lot of natural resources. It is regarded as the country that is blessed with the most natural resources in Africa.
Due to the natural resources, there are a lot of people who come from far and wide to explore and take economic advantage of the natural resources. This has led to being a state with a population of different cultures and races.
There are over 100 ethnic groups in Nigeria, and each of the ethnic groups has something they celebrate yearly. From the Yoruba in the southwest to the Hausas in the north of Nigeria, this country is blessed with a rich diversity of culture and values.
With this great country’s cultural diversity, some festivals are attached to various ethnic groups, which can serve as a tourist attraction to people everywhere in the Country.
If you are curious to know the best festivals in Nigeria, this is the perfect article for you. In this article, we are going to be talking about the top 10 festivals in Nigeria you shouldn’t miss.
Let’s delve right in.
Top 10 Festivals in Nigeria You Shouldn’t Miss In 2022
Table of Contents
This year will be filled to the brim with incredible festivals, and they’re coming at us from all different corners of the country. From the culture in Lagos to the avant-garde in Abuja, these festivals will surely tickle your taste buds and get your mind buzzing for an entirely new season.
So, where do you even start? Here are the top 10 festivals in Nigeria you should not miss in 2022.
1. Sango Festival
This is one of the most popular festivals in Nigeria. People come from different parts of the world just to experience the rich display of the Yoruba culture at this festival. You can also come to observe the traditional rites and modes of prayers of the indigenous Sango worshippers.
The Yoruba people hold this festival annually in honor of their god and king, Sango. Sango was the 3rd king of the Oyo Empire after he succeeded his brother, Ajaka. Sango was also the god of thunder and fire and is popularly feared and revered among the Yoruba indigenes.
The Sango festival is a 10-day event you will enjoy. This festival starts with pageantry, where the worshippers parade in white and red attire. You will enjoy the view of this event. The Ayo competition and the Ogun Ajobo day traditional night rites exist.
There are other events, such as displays from other cultural groups, celebrations from cultural artists, and much more. This is one festival you should never miss.
2. Gidi Fest
Gidi fest is one of the most popular festivals in Lagos, attracting many youths from around the country. This festival provides an avenue for you to have fun, relax and socialize with other youths in the e3vent.
This festival is dubbed the Coachella of Lagos, and it is the perfect festival for your fun and adventure. It is a one-day annual festival that revolves around music and art. This festival was founded by Chinedu Okeke and Oritemi Banigo in 2014. It has gained global recognition and has served as a source of tourist attractions ever since.
This festival attracts a lot of artists both locally and internationally. Various artists such as Olamide, Wizkid, Burnaboy, Kizz Daniels, Don Jazzy, and other top Nigerian artists are among the people to have graced this event.
The fun starts on the beach and goes to the zoo. This festival is the perfect place for you to have fun, create memories and take beautiful pictures of arts and culture.
3. Copa Lagos
This is one of the biggest sports festivals in Lagos. It attracts participants and tourists from different parts of the world. If you love football and sports, this is one festival you should never miss. Copa Lagos is an annual event in Nigeria
This festival takes place in Lagos and involves participants or teams worldwide. This festival is a beach soccer event that was founded in 2011. It has a lot of local and international sponsors.
This 3 days event involves different teams having a football competition on the beach with many spectators. The governor of Lagos and the minister for youths and sports are usually at this event.
Before and after the matches, you will enjoy various live performances from artists within and outside Lagos. The Copa Lagos is one festival you should make time out to explore.
4. Felaboration
This is one of the most popular music and arts festivals in Lagos. This festival takes place in honor of the afrobeat legend, the late Fela, known to have revolutionized the musical genre with his music and lifestyle.
Fela is regarded as the father of afrobeat, and every artiste you see today pays homage to him. Felaboration is one festival you should never miss. This festival came about in 1998 by Yeni Anikolapo-Kuti. It takes place annually at the New African Shrine, Ikeja.
You will enjoy different music genres, such as Afro-pop, Afro-beat, Reggae, Dancehall, and a lot more. It is a week-long festival which performances from various top artists within and outside Africa. It also talks about Fela’s life and how his music influences the youth.
The editions of this event come with different tags, such as; Lagos with love, which was the 2019 edition, and the fight to finish, fight to win, for the 2020 virtual edition.
5. New Yam Festival
This is one of the most anticipated festivals among the people in the southeast. The new yam festival is a festival that attracts a lot of tourists from within and outside Nigeria. It is a symbolic festival to the people of the southeast as it marks productivity and blessings upon their lands.
This festival is popularly called Iwa Ji or Ike Ji, and it is usually held at the end of the rainy season, usually around August. This festival is held in every Igbo community in the southeast and the south, although the celebration mode differs from community to community.
There are a lot of rules guiding this festival. The new yams in these communities cannot be eaten until after the festival. You will enjoy different displays from different cultural groups in the community. It is followed by a speech from the Eze, or king of the community. The chief priest is then allowed to pray to the gods and decree peace and blessings upon the land.
After the prayers, the yams are cooked and served to the general public. There are also presentations from different traditional bands and wrestling groups you will enjoy.
6. Eyo Festival
This is another popular festival that takes place annually in Lagos state. Eyo festival is a rich display of culture and values you shouldn’t miss. People come from different parts of the country just to get a glimpse of this event, which is regarded as one of the most colorful events in Nigeria.
This festival, a tourist attraction source, is traditionally performed in Lagos. It is also known as Adamu Orisha Play.
The word Eyo from the Eyo festival refers to the masquerades dressed in an all-white attire. Back in the day, this festival was usually held when a king or oba died. This is to escort the soul of the king safely to the afterlife.
You will enjoy many things at this festival such as the nice view of the masquerade dancing, different performances from different groups and much more. You will also learn much about the Yoruba culture at the festival. It is a festival you shouldn’t miss.
7. Durbar Festival
This is the most anticipated festival in northern Nigeria. This festival is an annual festival that cuts across different cities in the north. This cultural and religious festival is celebrated in cities like Kano, Katsina, Sokoto, Ilorin, Bida, and others.
This festival can be traced back to the 14th century. It is a 4 days festival with a display of the rich culture of the Hausa people.
The festival begins with an early morning prayer. It is followed by the colorful Parade of the emir and the horsemen. The noblemen in the north also ride the horses to the emir’s palace to pay homage to the emir during the festivals.
You will enjoy many beautiful events at this festival, such as performances by local musicians, artillery performances, horse parades, and much more. Durbar festival will leave you impressed.
8. Calabar Carnival
This is Nigeria’s most popular and colorful festival, attracting many people from everywhere. It also attracts different people from outside the country as there are a lot of foreigners who come to watch the display of the rich culture that is on display at this festival.
Calabar carnival takes place annually in the city of Calabar, and it was proposed by the then governor of Calabar, Governor Donald Duke. This was done in 2004 to promote the local economy and tourism in the state.
This festival has become the biggest street festival in Africa as the number of participants keeps increasing yearly.
You will enjoy presentations from over 50 different cultural groups in the country. There are also various arts you will see at this festival. It is one festival that is perfect for your exploration.
9. Ofala Festival
This is another festival you shouldn’t miss in the east. It is one of the festivals the people of Onitsha anticipate every year. This festival serves as a renewal rite for the king or obi in the various communities.
This festival dates back to the 16th century when the people of Onitsha migrated from Benin City. They brought along their different costumes and cultural systems. Before the festivals, the Kings or Igwe go into seclusion and are not to be seen until the festival. The kings paraded in their rich royal robes while the crowd followed them.
This event is accompanied by celebrations and rites that mark the festival’s beginning. The king again goes into seclusion during the festival, which lasts for a few days. The kings are not to be seen till the end of the festival.
10. Argungun Festival
This is regarded as one of the most popular festivals in Nigeria. It is a very historic festival that dates back to the 19th century. This festival attracts a lot of people from every part of the country. It is a festival you should witness
This festival takes place primarily in Kebbi state. It is a fishing and dance festival in the country’s northwestern part. This festival revolves around fishermen.
At this festival, you will see different fishermen who go into the sea or river to try and catch. The biggest fish. The person with the biggest catch is declared the winner of the competition.
You will also witness different dances and performances from different groups in the region.
Frequently Asked Questions and Answers
Regarding festivals in Nigeria, you might have a couple of questions. Below are some frequently asked questions and answers to help guide you.
What is The Biggest Festival in Nigeria?
The Calabar carnival is the biggest festival in Nigeria. It attracts people from every part of the world.
Which festivals are the most common in Nigeria?
The most common festivals in Nigeria are the Calabar carnival and the Gidi fest. The Sango festival is also common.
Conclusion
There are many festivals in Nigeria that will give you maximum fun and adventure. Try any of the festivals listed above, and you will not help but be impressed with every moment you spend at those festivals.