The Lagos State Government has announced plans to host the maiden edition of Yoruba Heritage Week, a seven-day annual cultural festival designed to celebrate the history, values, and global identity of the Yoruba people.
Disclosing the initiative during a joint planning meeting in Alausa, the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, said the festival enjoys the full backing of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State House of Assembly.
“This is not just a festival, but an opportunity for the Yoruba people to honour their past, preserve their heritage, and showcase their culture to the world. What we are building today is a sustainable legacy for future generations,” she stated.
The Commissioner explained that Yoruba Heritage Week will serve as a model for cultural preservation, unity, and economic growth, while also boosting tourism and attracting socio-economic benefits to Lagos and the wider Southwest region.
Also speaking, the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Mr. Bolaji Robert, stressed the importance of historical accuracy in cultural storytelling.
“This project offers us the opportunity to separate fact from fiction and preserve authentic Yoruba history for posterity,” he noted.
Similarly, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Works, Dr. Adekunle Olayinka, described the initiative as timely, pledging his support to mobilise expertise and resources across the region in line with the Omoluabi ethos.
The Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Mr. Olanrewaju Bajulaiye, emphasised that the festival is in line with the Lagos State House of Assembly’s resolution on Yoruba heritage and will evolve into a tradition that engages Yoruba people both at home and in the diaspora across art, tourism, and education.
Presenting the broader vision, the Head of Home Affairs at the DAWN Commission, Mr. Segun Balogun, said the Yoruba Heritage Week will provide an authentic platform to counter misconceptions and strengthen global Yoruba identity.
“This is not just an event but a process built on DAWN’s Five Pillars of Transformation: New People, New Values, New Economy, New Institutions, and New Possibilities,” he explained.
The festival will include ancestral homage, cultural assemblies, fashion runways, music festivals, and a grand parade, positioning Lagos as the hub of Yoruba cultural celebration.
