Carnival Calabar private investment is essential for its future, says Gabe Onah, urging businesses to help sustain Nigeria’s largest cultural street party
Carnival Calabar private investment is now critical for the continued success of Africa’s largest street festival, according to the festival’s Chairman, Gabe Onah.
Speaking at the 21st Akwaaba African Travel Market on Tuesday in Lagos, Onah made a passionate appeal for deeper private sector involvement to ensure the longevity of the iconic Calabar Carnival, which turns 20 this year.
“Carnival Calabar must breathe beyond the stranglehold of government,” he declared. “For sustainability, the private sector has to take more than a passing interest.”
Originally conceived as a tool for community participation and economic development, the carnival has grown into a national and international attraction, drawing over 300,000 tourists in 2024, according to data from the Cross River Tourism Bureau.
Onah credited the festival’s resilience to the support of successive governors—Donald Duke, Liyel Imoke, Ben Ayade, and current governor Bassey Otu.
However, he stressed that it is the local community spirit and Calabar’s unique setting that have truly powered the festival’s success.
“The smiles of our people, the restfulness of the city and our natural blessings—vegetation, mountains, waterfronts and greenery—are what make Calabar stand out,” he said.
At the regional level, Onah praised Akwaaba for being a “melting point for travel and trade,” highlighting its role in fostering collaboration within Africa’s tourism sector.
“In tourism, we will keep saying partners must collaborate, not compete. Akwaaba has successfully done this for Nigeria,” he said.
Addressing emerging trends, Onah noted that today’s tourists are “digital, unique and global.”
He emphasised the importance of embracing artificial intelligence in promoting tourism, while also pointing out the increasing influence of families in travel decisions.
This shift, he revealed, inspired the transformation of the Children’s Carnival into a Junior Carnival, with added programming tailored for younger audiences.
Onah also underscored the economic ripple effect of the carnival. From hotel bookings totalling over ₦2.79 billion, to food sales estimated at ₦900 million, the 2024 edition significantly boosted Cross River’s economy.
Ancillary revenue from transport, nightclubs, fashion shows, and digital streaming pushed the total impact even further, with over 1.2 billion viewers reached globally through DSTV and online platforms.
Despite these successes, Onah stressed that over-reliance on government support places the future of the festival at risk.
“If we want Carnival Calabar to not just survive but thrive, the private sector must take the reins,” he said.
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