Culture

Idanre Hill Set for Major Tourism Revival

Published

1 year ago

October 15, 2025

Idanre Hill set for a major revival as Ondo State plans rehabilitation and revival of Mare Festival to restore its lost tourism glory

Idanre Hill, one of Nigeria’s most iconic natural wonders, is set for a major revival as the Ondo State Government unveils plans to rehabilitate the site and restore it to its former glory.

Also read: Olumo Rock, Idanre Hills, 10 other affordable tourist destinations in Southwest Nigeria

The move follows years of neglect that left the once-thriving tourist destination in ruins.

Located about 20 kilometres southeast of Akure, Idanre Hill known locally as Oke Idanre towers over the ancient town of Idanre, offering breathtaking scenery and cultural depth.

The site, which was added to the UNESCO World Heritage tentative list in 2007, is famed for its 680-step climb, seven resting points, and panoramic view of the surrounding landscape.

Once a vibrant hub of tourism and cultural exchange, Idanre Hill attracted visitors from around the world, especially during the celebrated **MARE Festival**, introduced under former Governor Olusegun Mimiko to promote mountain climbing, music, and local culture.

The event boosted tourism, created jobs, and transformed Idanre into a major destination in Nigeria’s southwest.

However, in recent years, poor maintenance, lack of funding, and government neglect have turned the site into a shadow of its former self.

Facilities have deteriorated, structures have collapsed, and miscreants have taken over parts of the premises. Once-busy tourist paths are now deserted, with reports of harassment and extortion discouraging visitors.

A tourist, Tolu Okoye, lamented the site’s decay, describing her experience as disappointing compared to other destinations.

“The government should ensure proper maintenance. The facilities are in ruins, and the environment feels unsafe,” she said.

Another visitor, Femi Arotoye, blamed successive administrations for abandoning public investment in the site. “This is not how to protect taxpayers’ money. The place used to be lively and clean, but now it’s a shadow of what it was ten years ago,” he noted.

Responding to growing concerns, the Ondo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Afolabi Adesoji, announced that the government had approved a comprehensive rehabilitation of the site.

The project, to be carried out by the Ministry of Works, will include rebuilding the reception hall, swimming pool, and guest chalets, alongside improved security.

Adesoji confirmed that the MARE Festival would make a comeback from December 27 to 30, 2025, after nearly a decade of absence.

“Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa has approved the festival’s return and a full site facelift. By 2026, Idanre Hill will once again be a vibrant, world-class tourist resort,” he said.

Stakeholders have also urged the government to adopt a long-term strategy to sustain tourism at Idanre Hill. Recommendations include developing eco-friendly resorts, improving access roads, introducing a ropeway to the peak, and launching digital tools like a mobile app for visitor engagement.

Cultural leaders, however, emphasised the need to balance modern tourism with local traditions.

The Osolo of Idanreland, His Eminence Ojo Alalabiaye Ilufemiloye I, clarified that while the Mare Festival was a social innovation, the town’s recognised festivals — such as Orosun, Odun Osolo, and Aheregbe remain vital to Idanre’s cultural identity.

Tourism enthusiasts like broadcaster Eniola Olurankinse have called for a holistic development plan that includes a resort, local restaurant, guest houses reflecting Idanre’s architecture, and cultural attractions celebrating African heritage.

Also read: What you should know about Idanre Hill

With renewed government commitment, community collaboration, and private-sector investment, Idanre Hill may soon reclaim its place as one of Nigeria’s premier tourist attractions and a symbol of the nation’s cultural and natural wealth.

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Culture

OLOJO….Ile Ife’s September Gift To Culture

Published

1 week ago

October 5, 2026

Mariam Balogun

By Halima Adaba,

It was a featubal if the people. It was for the anciebt town of Ile Ife, which the Yoruba race refards as the Source.

Also read: Olojo Festival 2026: Ooni Urges Leaders to Prioritise Citizens

And ut was a festivsl for the King, Arole Oduduwa, Oonirisa, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.

And so between September 24 and 28th 2026, the annual featuval dazzjed in all its white glory.

Tge Monarch paid the traditional ancestral homage and offered propitiation as part of the sacred rites of the Olojo Festival.
It was a powerful expression of Yoruba heritage, spirituality, and enduring tradition.

Call it a collection of beautiful moments, faces, colours and cultural expressions.

Every frame tells a story.

Every face carries the energy.

Every moment keeps the heritage alive.

Undoubtedly one of the most sacred cultural celebrations in Ilé-Ifẹ̀. It marked a day associated with creation, thanksgiving, ancestral heritage, and the sacred appearance of the Ooni of Ife wearing the revered Aàrẹ crown.

There were also the devotees of the famed god of thunder – Sàngó who were hardly conspicuous at the festival.

Many other traditional groups came out with candor, showing a powerful expression of Yoruba cultural identity, spiritual devotion, and respect for the ancient traditions of Ilé-Ifẹ̀.

Devotees of Sàngó bekieved the ‘appearance’ of the god of thunder on Seotember 26th could be understood as a symbolic meeting of ancestral heritage, spiritual devotion, and the celebration of creation.

It was a moment when the sounds of drums, chants, and traditional praise poetry brought the history of the Yoruba people to life.

Although Olojo is closely associated with Ogun, the god of iron, and the sacred traditions of Ile-Ife, the presence of Sàngó devotees reflected the rich diversity of Yoruba spiritual heritage.

Also read: Olojo Festival 2026: Ooni Urges Leaders to Prioritise Citizens

As a participant enthused at the festival, “To witness Sàngó Olúkòso emerge on Olojo Festival day is to witness a living expression of history, identity, and ancestral pride.”

Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

2 months ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”