The Festival of Art for Economic Development (FAED) 2026, a flagship cultural and creative empowerment initiative of Integration Art Palace and Tour, powered by the Nigeria Customs Service, Ogun I Area Command, will take place from 28 January to 15 February 2026.
Now in its 5th edition, FAED continues to position art, culture, and creative enterprise as strategic tools for economic development, youth empowerment, peace-building, and cross-border cooperation within border communities.
The programme will commence on 28 January 2026 with the Final Skills Test for Trainees, followed by a Cross-Border Art Residency from 8 to 15 February. The major highlight, the FAED 2026 Colloquium, will be held on 12 February 2026, alongside a press briefing and art exhibition. Tourism activities and courtesy visits will follow on 13 and 14 February, with participants departing on 15 February.
The FAED 2026 Colloquium will serve as a strategic dialogue platform, bringing together policymakers, traditional rulers, security agencies, cultural practitioners, and development stakeholders to discuss the role of creative empowerment in border development and integration. The event will be hosted by the Customs Area Controller, Ogun I Area Command, DC O.O. Afeni, who is the Chief Host of the 2026 edition. The Distinguished Guest of Honour, Hon. Johnson Avoce Akhohomey, Executive Chairman of Ipokia Local Government, will represent the host community, which remains a key partner in community-based development initiatives.
Dr. Bonny Abisogun Botoku, Executive Producer of the Festival and Permanent Secretary of the Inter-Border Forum, will outline the vision and objectives of FAED 2026, highlighting creative empowerment as a pathway to sustainable livelihoods and regional cooperation. The Keynote Address will be delivered by Hon. Alhaja Marufatu Falola Ileola, Deputy Mayor of Ifonyin Municipality (Republic of Benin), emphasizing the festival’s cross-border and cultural diplomacy focus.
The Colloquium will also feature contributions from AC A.O. Ogunjobi and HRM Oba (Dr.) Mathew Ademola Abisoye, Onitaege of Itaege, Omo Onikumu, Ski Aanugbade I, whose insights will enrich discussions on traditional leadership, security collaboration, and community-driven development.
Beyond dialogue, FAED 2026 will showcase a Cross-Border Art Residency and an Art Exhibition, alongside tourism activities and courtesy visits designed to highlight the cultural heritage and economic potential of border communities. The festival will also conclude an extensive creative empowerment programme, with beneficiaries from border communities trained in practical skills aligned with cultural and creative industries.
FAED 2026 reaffirms its founding vision: “Where Creativity Meets Economic Growth.” By aligning culture with entrepreneurship, governance, and diplomacy, the festival continues to strengthen the role of border communities as hubs of opportunity, cooperation, and peace.
For media enquiries and official engagement, please contact the Festival Secretariat, Festival of Art for Economic Development (FAED) 2026, at [email protected].