MUSAWA PRESENTS UNESCO CERTIFICATE TO ALAAFIN OF OYO AT WORLD SANGO FESTIVAL
The Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa, has officially presented the UNESCO certificate recognizing the Sango Festival as part of the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity to the Alaafin of Oyo, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abimbola Abdulhakeem Owoade,alongside the Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatunbosun.
The historic presentation took place at the grand finale of the 2025 World Sango Festival, held over the weekend in Oyo State, with dignitaries and cultural enthusiasts from across Nigeria and beyond in attendance.
Speaking at the event, Minister Musawa described the global recognition as a milestone in Nigeria’s cultural landscape. She noted that the inscription of the Sango Festival by UNESCO reflects the Ministry’s commitment to safeguarding the nation’s rich heritage while promoting it as a tool for international diplomacy, sustainable tourism, and community empowerment.
“I heartily congratulate His Imperial Majesty, the Alaafin of Oyo, the new Sango Chief Priest, the Oyo community, and indeed the entire Yoruba nation on this remarkable achievement. We are not only celebrating a festival, but also preserving a legacy. Through collaboration between the Ministry and the Oyo community, the Sango Festival now enjoys global recognition as a shared world heritage. This firmly places Nigeria’s cultural identity on the global stage,” Musawa stated.
The Minister added that the recognition is a clear reflection of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, stressing that cultural promotion under his administration is designed to foster employment, wealth creation, sustainable development, and greater international visibility for Nigeria.
In his response, the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Abdulhakeem Owoade I, expressed deep appreciation to President Tinubu and the Federal Ministry for their commitment to expanding Nigeria’s cultural heritage. He assured continued collaboration with the government to further elevate Nigeria’s cultural treasures on the world stage.
The 2025 World Sango Festival, which drew participants from home and abroad, provided a colorful and symbolic setting for the certificate presentation—underscoring the festival’s role as a cultural treasure and a proud symbol of Nigeria’s rich heritage.
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