June 1 (THEWILL) — The road to another unforgettable edition of Africa’s Biggest Street Party officially began on Sunday night as Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, unveiled the theme for Carnival Calabar and Festival 2026, “Rethinking Our Collective Destiny”.
Held at the Eko Hotel and Convention Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, the unveiling ceremony brought together tourism experts, corporate sponsors, cultural enthusiasts, government officials, carnival stakeholders and members of the Cross River community from across Nigeria and beyond.
The evening came alive at about 8:15 p.m. when Carnival Calabar revellers took to the stage in a vibrant display of colour, rhythm and creativity, setting the tone for the festivities ahead.
Adding to the excitement was an electrifying performance by Cross River-born artiste, Mezzy B, whose energetic delivery thrilled guests and kept the atmosphere lively.
The Chairman of the Cross River State Carnival Commission, Gab Onah, described Carnival Calabar as a powerful platform for promoting tourism, culture and economic growth. He called on stakeholders and sponsors to continue supporting the festival’s growth and development.
Governor Otu, while addressing guests, reflected on the success of the 20th anniversary and thanked sponsors, tourists, carnival bands and visitors for their contributions.
He noted that each carnival theme served as a creative challenge for participating bands, whose costumes, choreography and artistic displays help bring the theme to life.
According to the governor, Carnival Calabar remains a major vehicle for tourism promotion, business development and cultural exchange while strengthening family ties through homecoming and reunion activities.
The governor also expressed optimism about attracting greater participation from Cross Riverians in the diaspora and expanding opportunities within the tourism and creative sectors.
The highlight of the night came when he officially unveiled the 2026 theme: “Rethinking Our Collective Destiny”. The announcement drew loud applause from guests, marking the beginning of preparations for the 21st edition of the festival.
Among the dignitaries present was Portugal’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Paulo Santos, who praised the carnival experience and recalled attending the 2025 edition themed “Traces of Time”.
Also present was FTAN President, Dr Badaki Aliyu, who pledged the association’s support for efforts to grow Nigeria’s tourism industry and strengthen Carnival Calabar’s position on the global tourism map.
At about 9:45 p.m., the event shifted to a colourful awards presentation segment celebrating outstanding contributions to tourism, culture and community development.
Tourism expert Ikechi Uko, alongside Dr Badaki Aliyu and other dignitaries, presented awards across several categories to deserving recipients from communities across Cross River State.
Notable among the awardees were representatives from Ikom and Ogoja Local Government Areas, recognised for their commitment to preserving culture and promoting tourism.
With support from leading brands including MTN, UBA, Pepsi, Coca-Cola, Airtel, Zenith Bank, Origin, Kellogg’s and Nigerian Breweries, expectations are high for a bigger and more impactful Carnival Calabar in 2026.
As guests departed the venue, one message resonated clearly: the countdown to Carnival Calabar 2026 has officially begun.
Janefrances Ebere Chibuzor is a Tourism Writer at THEWILL
