The highly anticipated Goge Africa Festival is set to take place from October 26 to 27 at Onikan Stadium, Lagos, with over 25 countries and 20,000 tourists expected to attend. Nneka Isaac-Moses, Managing Director and co-founder of Goge Africa, announced the event’s details in a statement on Saturday.
Countries participating in the festival include Togo, Benin Republic, Ghana, Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ivory Coast, Morocco, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, and Cameroon. Additionally, international participants from Italy, Germany, Spain, Denmark, China, Israel, Jamaica, Barbados, USA, Brazil, India, and Indonesia will join in the celebrations.
Isaac-Moses highlighted that the festival marks the 25th anniversary of Goge Africa, a pioneer in promoting African culture, tourism, and heritage. She described the event as a “cultural extravaganza” that will celebrate Africa’s diversity and Nigeria’s role in preserving and promoting its heritage.
“This milestone event promises to be a symphony of cultures with over 25 countries represented and a vibrant crowd of 20,000 expected over the two days,” she said.
The festival will feature performances, exhibitions, and collaborations from the participating nations. Distinguished guests, including the Minister of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, the Minister of Tourism, ambassadors, traditional rulers, and key figures from the creative, tourism, and business sectors, are expected to attend.
The Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC) will host an exhibition titled Our Shared Heritage, showcasing the richness of Africa’s collective history and culture. The Roots Runway will also present a new collection, Itinochi, in support of widows.
Isaac-Moses announced that one of the festival’s highlights will be the grand appearance of “Ijele,” Africa’s largest masquerade. Audiences will also experience the traditions of northern Nigeria through a showcase presented by the Arewa community in Lagos. Performances by the “Maidens of the South” and the rhythmic communication of “The Talking Drum” will further enthrall the crowd.
Revellers will enjoy a variety of African and Nigerian music genres, curated by special DJs, as well as cultural dance presentations and competitions featuring African masquerades, including the iconic figure Izaga.
The festival will also recognize key contributors to Africa’s cultural heritage, with notable organizations and personalities receiving the prestigious Goge Africa award. The event will celebrate Goge Africa’s 25-year legacy of promoting African heritage and tourism through award-winning media productions and cultural initiatives.
“For food lovers, our grand food court will feature over 100 vendors, offering a diverse range of goods and services. A thrilling soup competition will add extra spice for our attendees,” Isaac-Moses added.
As Lagos prepares to host this two-day cultural convergence, the Goge Africa Festival promises to leave a lasting impact on tourism, youth empowerment, and Nigeria’s global image.
