Cross River Pushes For Tourism Investment As Calabar Carnival Turns 20

Arrangements are in top gear by the Cross River State Government to host the 20th anniversary of the Calabar Carnival with a focus on repositioning the state as West Africa’s leading tourism destination.

Gov Bassey Otu disclosed this during the annual Christmas tree-lighting ceremony at Millennium Park, where he appeared alongside four former governors, Clement Ebiri, Donald Duke, Liyel Imoke and Ben Ayade, in a symbolic show of unity for the state’s tourism revival.

Otu described tourism as a pillar of his administration’s economic agenda, stressing that his government is committed to strengthening the sector through human capital development, rural transformation and renewed global visibility.

“My team and I will continue to grow Cross River through human capital development, industrialisation, rural transformation and tourism,” he said.

In his remarks, a culture and tourism expert in the state, Joseph Nneji, said every arrangement had been put in place to make this year’s edition of the annual carnival truly historic and remarkable.

“Twenty years of the Carnival Calabar and festival is not just a celebration for Cross River State, but for Africa and the world.

“We invite everyone – governments, tourists, creatives, brands, and cultural institutions – to join us in commemorating two decades of excellence,” he maintained.

The carnival, considered Africa’s biggest street party, has created a unique image and history over the past two decades, attracting millions of visitors globally.

This year’s edition promises to be a spectacular event, featuring international performances from at least 10 countries, cultural exhibitions and special heritage displays.

The festival has evolved from a simple tourism promotion strategy to a global entertainment spectacle, showcasing Nigerian fashion, film, dance, music and cultural storytelling.

The festival has put Calabar on the map as a December destination, attracting visitors from Brazil, Colombia, France, Germany, South Africa, Ghana, and other parts of the world.

The event is expected to bring fresh opportunities for local businesses, artisans, performers, and investors, with an investment summit aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s creative and hospitality sectors.

The state government is committed to strengthening the sector through human capital development, rural transformation, and renewed global visibility.

Carnival Calabar has made a significant impact over the years, recording millions of visits, creating thousands of jobs and discovering hundreds of talented creatives.

The organisers said, this year’s edition promises to honour its past and set a new vision for the next 20 years, with the goal of making Calabar Africa’s undisputed cultural capital.