BY JIMOH AKEEM BOLAJI
The Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, has presented the UNESCO certificate recognizing the Sango Festival as a World Heritage Festival to the Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade 1.
Minister Musawa made the presentation at the grand finale of the 2025 World Sango Festival held over the weekend in Oyo State.
Musawa stated that the achievement marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s cultural landscape, demonstrating the Ministry’s commitment to safeguarding the country’s rich cultural heritage and promoting its powerful tool for international diplomacy and sustainable tourism.
“I heartily congratulate Your Imperial Majesty, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Abdulhakeem Owoade I, the new Sango Chief Priest, the Oyo community, and indeed the entire Yoruba nation on the grand finale of the 2025 World Sango Festival. We celebrate not just a festival, but a legacy. Following effective collaboration between the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy and the Oyo Community, the Sango Festival has now attained global recognition with its inscription by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. This milestone firmly places Sango’s rich heritage on the world stage and underscores its importance as a shared global heritage.
“This achievement is a shining gain of the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, through our Ministry’s commitment to safeguarding our rich cultural heritage and promoting it as a powerful tool for international diplomacy and sustainable tourism. The foregoing further strengthens the foundation of our strong cultural identity, geared towards employment generation and wealth creation for sustainable development, empowerment of the host community, and Nigeria,” Musawa said.
The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Abdulhakeem Owoade I, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and the Ministry for their renewed commitment to expanding Nigeria’s culture and heritage, which has led to this remarkable feat. The monarch reiterated the Oyo Kingdom’s cooperation with the Administration and the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy to further promote Nigeria’s cultural identity on the global stage.
The 2025 Sango Festival, which drew dignitaries from within and outside the country, served as the backdrop for the certificate presentation, highlighting the festival’s significance as a cultural treasure and a symbol of Nigeria’s rich heritage.
