Nigeria’s Cultural Olympics Returns to Enugu For NAFEST 2026
By Ewache Ajefu
“Reimagined competitions, Nigerian video games, creative-industry training and major concerts to
animate eight days of “Connected Culture”.
Abuja, Nigeria, 18 Sept 2026.
The National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC), in partnership with the Enugu State Government, is delighted to announce that the National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST); widely celebrated as Nigeria’s Cultural Olympics, will take place in Enugu State from 21-28 November 2026.
NCAC’s Head of Media Dr Dennis Olofu in a statement Friday in Abuja, said following the postponement of the 2025 edition, NCAC and the Enugu State Government have
renewed their commitment to delivering a bigger, more vibrant and more connected national festival that reflects the energy, creativity and cultural diversity of contemporary Nigeria.
Under the theme “Connected Culture,” NAFEST 2026 will bring delegations from the 36 states of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory together for eight days of friendly competition,
cultural exchange, entertainment, learning and national celebration.
A WIDER CANVAS FOR CREATIVE EXPRESSION
NAFEST 2026 will build on the refreshed competition formats introduced by NCAC at NAFEST 2024, making the festival more accessible, engaging and relevant to younger Nigerians.
• The Swag Show – celebrating Nigerian fashion, textiles, identity and personal style;
⚫ Dance Off Naija – showcasing traditional and contemporary dance;
• Sing Off Naija – bringing Nigeria’s diverse musical traditions and new sounds together;
• Naija Home Makeover – reimagining Nigerian art, crafts, fabrics and indigenous aesthetics for
contemporary living spaces; and
• Jollof Wars – celebrating the flavours, culinary creativity and competitive spirit of Nigerian cuisine.
The theme “Connected Culture” will run directly through the Swag Show and Naija Home Makeover, challenging participants to connect heritage with contemporary fashion,design and lifestyle.
Together, these formats create a wide canvas for creative expression while demonstrating how Nigerian cultural traditions can inspire new products, experiences and markets. NAFEST 2026 will also feature video-game experiences developed by indigenous Nigerian studios, giving audiences the opportunity to play Nigerian games and encounter locally created characters, stories,
environments and cultural references through interactive technology.
Dambe boxing will return to the festival programme alongside other indigenous games and sporting competitions, reaffirming the importance of Nigeria’s traditional sports within its wider cultural story.
First introduced at NAFEST 2024, these reinvented formats retain the cultural depth and competitive spirit of the festival while presenting Nigerian heritage in ways that younger.
CONNECTING CULTURE WITH THE NEXT GENERATION
With more than 35 tertiary institutions in and around Enugu, NAFEST 2026 will provide a major platform for youth engagement, skills development and creative-industry capacity building. Working with partners including the British Council’s Creative Hustle, the National Theatre and other leading industry organisations, NCAC will deliver training programmes and masterclasses across film, music, fashion, performing arts and the creator economy.
These programmes will connect emerging creatives with experienced practitioners, institutions and industry leaders, providing practical knowledge, professional networks and pathways into Nigeria’s rapidly expanding cultural and creative economy. NAFEST 2026 will therefore be more than a festival and competition. It will serve as a national marketplace for talent, ideas, skills and cultural enterprise, connecting Nigeria’s heritage with its creative future.
A HISTORIC RETURN TO ENUGU
The inaugural national festival was held in Lagos in 1970 and was won by East Central State. Enugu last hosted NAFEST in 2007. Nearly two decades later, Nigeria’s Cultural Olympics is returning to the Coal City, with a new chapter of NAFEST history ready to be written.
Alongside the headline competitions and capacity-building programmes, NAFEST 2026 will feature traditional and contemporary music, drama, crafts, indigenous games, film, literature, visual arts, exhibitions and cultural experiences. Major opening and closing concerts will bring the energy of Afrobeats and contemporary Nigerian popular culture into conversation with the traditions that continue to shape the country’s identity.
The festival will be staged across leading venues in Enugu, including the International Conference Centre and the historic Michael Okpara Square.
WHAT THE HOST CITY IS SAYING
Speaking on the announcement, the Governor of Enugu State, His Excellency Dr Peter Mbah, said: “Enugu is ready to host Nigeria and welcome the world. NAFEST 2026 provides an important opportunity to showcase the transformation of our state, the warmth of our people and the richness of our cultural heritage. We are preparing to deliver a world-class festival that will allow visitors to experience Enugu as a leading destination for culture, tourism, investment and creativity.”
The Honourable Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Enugu State, Dame Ugochi Madueke, added:
“We are excited to welcome artists, cultural delegations and visitors from across Nigeria and beyond to Enugu. NAFEST will give us the opportunity to showcase the beauty of our city, our heritage, hospitality, cuisine, creative talent and expanding tourism experiences.”
“With more than 35 tertiary institutions in and around Enugu, the festival will also create meaningful opportunities for our young people to participate, learn and connect with Nigeria’s creative industries. Enugu is ready, and we look forward to sharing the very best of the Coal City with the world.”
The Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Obi Asika, said:
“I am excited to return to Enugu for NAFEST 2026 under the theme ‘Connected Culture.’ NAFEST is Nigeria’s Cultural Olympics—a celebration of the traditions that distinguish us and the shared culture that connects us as one people.”
“In 2024, NCAC introduced exciting new formats, including Swag Show, Dance Off Naija, Sing Off Naija, Naija Home Makeover and Jollof Wars. These categories will return in Enugu alongside Dambe boxing and Nigerian video games created by indigenous studios. Through the theme of Connected Culture, we are creating a wide canvas upon which young Nigerians can experience, interpret and express our culture in their own language.”
“Working with partners including the British Council’s Creative Hustle, the National Theatre and others, we will also deliver major capacity-building programmes across film, music, fashion, performing arts and the creator economy. NAFEST must not only celebrate talent; it must help develop that talent and connect it to sustainable opportunities.”
“We invite every state to bring its very best as Nigeria comes together for eight unforgettable days of friendly competition, creativity, learning, unity and celebration.”
CULTURE, TOURISM AND CREATIVE ENTERPRISE
NAFEST 2026 will provide a national platform for artists, performers, athletes, game developers, craftspeople, designers, chefs, cultural entrepreneurs and young creatives to showcase their talents and reach new audiences.
The festival will also stimulate tourism, hospitality, commerce and employment across Enugu State. Visitors will have an opportunity to discover Enugu’s heritage, hospitality, cuisine, cultural landmarks and natural attractions while experiencing the city’s continuing transformation into a leading destination for tourism, investment and creativity.
AN INVITATION TO SPONSORS AND PARTNERS
As the countdown to Enugu begins, NCAC will progressively unveil the festival calendar, competition formats, participating states, capacity-building programmes, concerts and other content across its media and digital platforms.
NCAC invites corporate sponsors, development partners, cultural institutions, media organisations, technology companies and creative-industry stakeholders to become part of this extraordinary national festival.
NAFEST provides a powerful platform to engage young Nigerians, support creative talent, showcase innovation and connect brands with audiences across the country. Nigerians at home and across the diaspora, international visitors, schools, families and young people are invited to come to Enugu and experience Nigeria’s amazing, vibrant and connected culture as the states of the Federation unite in friendly competition.
