Gov. Bassey Otu of Cross River has unveiled ‘Rethinking Our Collective Destiny’ as the theme for Carnival Calabar 2026, and said innovations will deepen public participation, expand economic opportunities and boost the carnival’s global appeal.
Otu unveiled the Carnival Calabar and Festival 2026 theme on Sunday night in Lagos.
The unveiling marked the inauguration of the carnival’s 21st anniversary edition and drew tourism stakeholders, diplomats, cultural enthusiasts and government officials.
Otu said the theme reflected a collective resolve to reimagine the future of the carnival and harness its potential as a driver of economic growth, cultural preservation and tourism development.
“We are not just unveiling a theme; we are unveiling a vision.
“‘Rethinking Our Collective Destiny’ challenges us to look beyond where we are today and imagine what we can achieve together as a people through culture, tourism and creativity,” he said.
The governor said the carnival had evolved into a major platform for showcasing Cross River to the world and creating opportunities for businesses, artisans, performers and young people.
“We must continue to innovate, expand participation and ensure that the benefits of the carnival are felt by our communities.
“This carnival belongs to all of us, and its success depends on our collective commitment,” he said.
Earlier, Chairman of Carnival Calabar Commission, Gabe Onah, said the 2026 edition would introduce online voting to give communities and audiences more stake in the carnival.
Onah said the innovation would allow the public to participate actively instead of just watching the event.
According to him, the carnival is being repositioned to create jobs and business opportunities for young people through the commercialisation of its various products and activities.
He said organisers had also engaged creative partners to develop movies inspired by the carnival, and also digital platforms that would connect audiences around the world to the festival in real time.
Similarly, Busola Tejumola, Executive Director, General Entertainment at Multichoice, said the carnival had evolved significantly over the past 15 years and should increasingly showcase the stories behind its elaborate costumes and cultural heritage.
Tejumola said the introduction of audience voting would elevate participation and allow people to contribute more meaningfully to the carnival experience.
Portuguese Ambassador to Nigeria, Paulo Santos, described the carnival as a unique cultural platform that compared favourably with carnivals in Europe, the Americas and Brazil.
“Culture is the easy way for countries to come together, get closer,” he said.
Santos said the carnival’s scale, professionalism and diverse offerings, including dedicated segments for children and bikers, made it stand out internationally.
He said he visited museums in Calabar during his stay, adding that the festival was relatable to global audiences while strengthening cultural and people-to-people ties.
Chief Edem Duke, leader of CalasVegas Band, said the band had been picked to represent Nigeria at a carnival in India.
Ikechi Uko, a tourism promoter and Convener of Akwaaba African Travel Market, urged industry stakeholders including tour operators, travel agencies, tourism associations and media practitioners to package and market Cross River as a destination for this year’s ‘Detty December’ Christmas season.
He added that the carnival had given Nigeria a world-class tourism product capable of attracting visitors from across the globe.
Uko urged tourism practitioners to develop tour packages around the carnival and help double visitor arrivals for the 2026 edition.
Also, Aliyu Badaki, President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), commended the organisers for sustaining a festival that continues to generate economic benefits for Cross River and its people.
Badaki pledged the support of tourism practitioners, including travel agencies and tour operators.
He said the carnival had become a model for cultural tourism, creating opportunities for local businesses, costume makers and service providers, while bringing visitors from around the world together.
