In a bold step to preserve and promote indigenous culture, the Lagos State Government has announced plans to launch the maiden edition of the Yoruba Heritage Week, a seven-day cultural festival dedicated to celebrating the history, values, and global identity of the Yoruba people.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, during a joint planning session at Alausa, Ikeja. The meeting had in attendance the Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Mr. Bolaji Robert; Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Works, Dr. Adekunle Olayinka; and representatives of the Development Agenda for Western Nigeria (DAWN) Commission, led by its Head of Home Affairs, Mr. Segun Balogun.
According to Benson-Awoyinka, the project enjoys the full support of Governor Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State House of Assembly. She stressed that Yoruba Heritage Week will not only be a festival but an enduring platform for cultural institutionalisation, sensitisation, and global engagement.
“This is not just about festivities; it is about creating a sustainable legacy for generations to come. Yoruba Heritage Week will allow us to honour our past, preserve our identity, and present our culture to the world in a way that stimulates pride, unity, and socio-economic opportunities,” she said.
The Commissioner further explained that the initiative is designed to strengthen the creative economy, promote tourism, and drive social cohesion, positioning Lagos as the cultural capital of the Yoruba world.
In his contribution, Mr. Bolaji Robert emphasised the importance of accuracy in narrating Yoruba history. He noted that the festival offers an avenue to address conflicting narratives and preserve authentic Yoruba heritage.
“This initiative gives us the chance to separate myth from reality, ensuring that generations to come inherit the true story of the Yoruba people,” he remarked.
Dr. Adekunle Olayinka, Special Adviser to the Governor on Works, described the timing of the project as significant, saying it will reflect the Omoluabi ethos of integrity, hard work, and communal pride. He assured that resources and expertise across the Southwest would be mobilised to guarantee its success.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Olanrewaju Bajulaiye, also aligned the project with the Lagos Assembly’s resolution on Yoruba heritage, describing it as a tradition that will connect the Yoruba at home and in the diaspora through arts, culture, education, and tourism.
On his part, DAWN Commission’s Head of Home Affairs, Mr. Segun Balogun, highlighted the broader vision, stating that Yoruba Heritage Week will unify Yoruba culture under one global umbrella, with Lagos as its epicentre. He added that the event would strengthen global Yoruba identity, attract international recognition, and provide a credible platform to correct misconceptions.
“This is not just a cultural festival but a transformative process built on DAWN’s Five Pillars of Transformation: New People, New Values, New Economy, New Institutions, and New Possibilities,” Balogun noted.
The proposed seven-day programme will feature: Ancestral Homage & Grand Opening; Heritage Assembly & Expert Discourse; Cultural Economy Summit & Fashion Runway; Governors’ Summit & Investment Fund Launch; Diaspora Summit & Excellence Celebration; Music Festival & Awards Ceremony; and a Closing Parade.
With this bold initiative, Lagos is poised to reaffirm its role as the heartbeat of Yoruba heritage, creating a global stage for cultural diplomacy, economic empowerment, and intergenerational legacy.
