Fanti Carnival: Massive turnout as Lagos Island comes alive with colour, music, heritage

By Joan Odafe

The 2026 Lagos Fanti Carnival brought Lagos Island to life on Monday, with foreign visitors and locals coming out to experience the vibrant culture, colourful floats, and traditional performances that turned historic communities into a tourism hub.

The carnival offered a rich blend of Afro-Brazilian heritage, community pride and artistic performances, reinforcing the growing reputation of Lagos as a cultural tourism destination.

The large crowd of fun seekers, cutting across different demographics enjoyed a mix of cultural displays and live performances by popular artistes at the Tafawa Balewa Square venue of the event.

The carnival was lively from the pre-carnival activities through the processions and performances, until late evening.

The music, dance and colourful costumes set the tone for the celebrations.

Highlights of the event included performances by Nigerian artistes including Teni, Niniola, 9ice, Reminisce and Terry Apala, while DJs Hanni and Wandi thrilled the crowd at the early stage of the event.

Niniola, accompanied by her dance team, energised the audience with her performance, while Teni also drew loud cheers from the crowd.

The carnival procession kicked off at about 2.40 p.m. with the Okepopo Fanti Carnival Association, representing the home community of the Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

Okepopo Fanti Carnival Association led the parade with a drum-themed float and horses, setting the tone for a lively cultural display.

Other participating communities are: Okoo-Faji Carnival Association, Epetedo United Youth Forum, Isale Eko Woro Carnival Association, Lafiaji Fanti Association, Olowogbowo Fancy Carnival Association, and Brazilian Campos Carreta Carnival Association.

The different groups dazzled the crowd with floats and performances reflecting their livelihoods and heritage.

Okoo-Faji showcased a float featuring a canoe, shrines and cultural displays in red and blue costumes, while Epetedo wowed spectators with skaters waving flags and choreographed dance routines in blue and white attire.

Isale Eko highlighted fishermen’s heritage; Lafiaji paraded red and white cultural displays, and Olowogbowo kept the crowd dancing throughout their performance.

Campos drew loud cheers with colourful costumes and animal-themed displays, including dragons, ostriches, and peacocks, alongside decorated umbrellas that added to the festive atmosphere.

Marion Kibler, a tourist from France, described the experience as unforgettable.

Kibler said the carnival exposed her to a cultural atmosphere she had never witnessed before.

“This experience is amazing because in France, we don’t have any carnival like this.

“There is a Brazilian culture, the African culture. We don’t have this, so it’s very cool to dance, to see.

“The colours are beautiful and I love it,” she said.

Speaking on her visit to the country and the people she had interacted with, she said Nigerians are very welcoming and joyful.

Another visitor, Julie Vanoni, also from France, said her visit to Nigeria was primarily to introduce her son to his Nigerian roots, but the carnival turned out to be a memorable cultural experience.

“It’s a very cultural experience. It’s very nice.

“We can see different people from different communities in Nigeria,” she said.

Vanoni also said she ate jollof rice and it was fine.

A Lagos resident, Rosemary Simai, said the carnival was an eye-opening experience in spite of living in the state for years.

“For my first time seeing it, I think it’s so amazing.

“I’m seeing different colours, multiple colours of a lot of outfits.

“I wish to come next time to see more views,” she said.

Simai added that the carnival showcased Yoruba traditions and community identity, describing it as well done.

Dignitaries at the event included the wife of the Lagos state governor, the deputy governor, and the commissioner for tourism, underscoring the government’s commitment to promoting cultural tourism in Lagos.

Traders and vendors capitalised on the large turnout to sell food, drinks and souvenirs, further boosting the tourism value of the event.

Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, had earlier said at a media conference announcing the carnival, that cultural festivals such as the Fanti Carnival play a vital role in stimulating commerce, supporting Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and empowering local traders across communities.

Benson-Awoyinka said tourism-driven cultural events go beyond revenue generation to strengthen grassroots economic activities and improve livelihoods within host communities.

“It is enhancing SMEs; it’s for the man selling boli by the roadside.

“It’s for the woman who is selling her soft drinks.

“It’s for the ice cream seller in the community, because a lot of children are there on the streets.

“So, it’s bringing a lot of commerce,” she said.

Agbaje Ayo, a brand owner, said it was his first time attending the carnival.

“I’m here to have fun and I’m enjoying seeing people have fun too.

“The performances by the artistes are the highlights for me,” he said.

Itunu Oyedele, a model, also described her experience as exciting.

“This is my first time and so far so good. I’ve been having fun.

“I would love to come again next year. It’s really interesting and it got me out of the house,” she said.

Also, Franky Bassey, an entrepreneur, said the event was impressive.

“The event is lovely. The artistes were so good with their performances.

“I loved it all. That was the peak for me,” he said.

Beatrice Adedeji, a businesswoman, said she particularly enjoyed the cultural aspect of the carnival.

“I enjoyed the performances from the local troupes.

“I danced and I haven’t had fun like this in a while. I’m tired though, the sun was a lot. These young ones are trying,” she said.

(NAN)