UNESCO recognizes Sango Festival as World Heritage Festival
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, has presented the UNESCO certificate recognizing the Sango Festival as a World Heritage Festival to the Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty Oba Abimbola Abdulhakeem Owoade I.
The presentation took place at the grand finale of the 2025 World Sango Festival, held over the weekend in Oyo State.
Speaking at the event, Musawa described the UNESCO recognition as a significant milestone in Nigeria’s cultural landscape. She noted that the achievement reflects the Ministry’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s rich heritage while positioning culture as a powerful tool for international diplomacy and sustainable tourism.
“I heartily congratulate Your Imperial Majesty, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Abdulhakeem Owoade I, the new Sango Chief Priest, the Oyo community, and indeed the entire Yoruba nation on the grand finale of the 2025 World Sango Festival. We celebrate not just a festival, but a legacy,” Musawa said.
She added that through collaboration between the Ministry and the Oyo community, the Sango Festival has now been inscribed by UNESCO on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. According to her, the recognition places the heritage of Sango on the global stage and strengthens Nigeria’s cultural identity under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This achievement is a shining gain of the Renewed Hope Agenda of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, through our Ministry’s commitment to safeguarding our rich cultural heritage and promoting it as a powerful tool for international diplomacy and sustainable tourism,” the Minister said.
In his response, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Owoade, expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and the Ministry for their efforts in advancing Nigeria’s cultural and heritage agenda. He pledged the continued cooperation of the Oyo Kingdom with the Federal Government to further showcase Nigeria’s culture on the global stage.
The 2025 Sango Festival drew dignitaries from within and outside the country, serving as the backdrop for the historic certificate presentation and reaffirming the festival’s significance as a cultural treasure and symbol of Nigeria’s heritage.
