Culture

World twins festival in Igbo-Ora: A tourism goldmine for Oyo State

Published

2 years ago

November 1, 2024

The annual World Twins Festival at Igbo-Ora, Oyo State, has the potential to generate over $1 million in revenue and create thousands of jobs, highlighting its untapped economic potential.

The annual World Twins Festival in Igbo-Ora, Oyo State, Nigeria, known globally as the “Land of Twins,” could generate over one million dollars in revenue and create more than 5,000 jobs if its full potential is harnessed, according to festival initiators, Taiwo and Kehinde Oguntoye.

As the most famous twins in African tourism, the Oguntoyes expressed their vision to elevate the festival’s profile and economic impact.

Also read: Oyo State Promotes Festival of Twins as Pathway to World Heritage Status

With its 2024 theme, *Twinning for Love, Unity, and National Economic Reorientation*, the festival celebrates Igbo-Ora’s remarkable multiple birth rate, where an estimated 10% of births are twins.

Drawing attendees from across Nigeria and beyond, the festival offers a unique social and cultural tourism experience, making it an unexploited economic opportunity for the state.

Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde has backed the festival, pledging to improve infrastructure and enhance its status to meet UNESCO standards.

Governor Makinde noted the state’s commitment to making Igbo-Ora a globally recognised tourism site, boosting Nigeria’s tourism potential and attracting international visitors.

The proposed *World Twins Village*, scheduled for unveiling next year, is set to be the first of its kind, establishing Igbo-Ora as a prime cultural destination.

The village is anticipated to attract a vast array of twins and enthusiasts from around the world, with plans underway to register Igbo-Ora on the UNESCO World Heritage cultural site list.

A vibrant display of twin culture, the 2024 festival featured twins dressed in matching Ankara and other traditional Yoruba attire, further showcasing Igbo-Ora’s unique cultural identity.

The event, organised in collaboration with the Igbo-Ora Community Foundation, Ibarapa Central Local Government, and the Oyo State Government, has become a landmark celebration for the Yoruba community and a growing attraction for visitors worldwide.

Up Next

Minister Hannatu Musawa urges Nigerians to support local fashion industry

Don't Miss

Governor Fubara begins revitalisation of Port Harcourt tourist beach for Arts, Culture, and Tourism

Click to comment

Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

2 weeks 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.”