The Olokun Festival Foundation (OFF) envisions the annual Olokun Festival as a major tourist attraction that will significantly contribute to Nigeria’s sustainable tourism development. OFF calls on corporate organisations and the public to support this initiative in promoting Yoruba traditions.

The Olokun Festival Foundation (OFF), led by the Aare Onakakanfo of Yoruba land, Iba Gani Adams, has stated that the annual Olokun Festival is poised to become a major tourist attraction in the near future.

The festival, which has grown significantly since its inception in 2002, is set to be a key contributor to the sustainable development of tourism in Nigeria.

Barrister Yinka Oguntimehin, chairman of the 2024 edition of the Olokun Festival, made this known during a media briefing at Oodua House in Ikeja.

The week-long festival, commencing on 15 October 2024 and culminating on 22 October 2024, is expected to attract over 20,000 participants from around the world.

Oguntimehin highlighted that the Olokun Festival Foundation has consistently organised more than 20 cultural festivals annually without external support since 2005.

The festival celebrates Yoruba traditions and serves as a platform to reconnect with the rich cultural heritage of the Yoruba people.

The 22nd edition will feature a variety of cultural events, including a fashion show, beauty pageant, boat regatta, Ayo Olopon, and spiritual prayers to the Olokun deity.

Oguntimehin emphasised the spiritual significance of the festival, noting that it brings “a basketful of blessings” for its deities and participants.

He also called on corporate organisations and the public to join hands in promoting this cultural gem, which has the potential to attract international tourists and boost tourism in Nigeria.

OFF is particularly proud of the global recognition the festival has garnered, with tourists from Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas attending the event each year.

Lagos, which benefits from its unique access to both the lagoon and ocean, plays a key role in the festival’s success. The festival has given OFF a globally recognised image, and Oguntimehin noted that Lagos State is blessed by the Olokun and Olosa deities that control the seas.

This year’s festival will begin with prayers to the Almighty on 15 October, featuring traditional, Islamic, and Christian blessings. The grand finale will take place in Badagry, where participants will gather for various cultural and spiritual activities.