The Lagos State Government has unveiled plans to inaugurate the maiden edition of Yoruba Heritage Week, a seven-day annual cultural festival designed to celebrate the history, values, and global identity of the Yoruba people.

This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, during a joint meeting held on Tuesday at the Ministry in Alausa with Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Mr. Bolaji Robert; the Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Works, Dr. Adekunle Olayinka, and representatives of the DAWN Commission, led by the Head of Home Affairs, Mr. Segun Balogun.

Benson-Awoyinka noted that the project enjoys the backing of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos State House of Assembly, describing it as a platform for cultural institutionalisation and sensitisation.

“This is not just a festival, but an opportunity for the Yoruba people to honour their past, preserve their heritage, and showcase their culture to the world,” she said. “This maiden meeting is to establish a strong foundation so that what we build today becomes a sustainable legacy for future generations.”

She emphasised that the Yoruba Heritage Week would serve as a model for cultural preservation, community unity, and creative economy growth while also boosting tourism and socio-economic benefits across Lagos and beyond.

In his remarks, Lagos State Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Rural Development, Mr. Bolaji Robert stressed the importance of accuracy in cultural storytelling, noting that the initiative provides an avenue to address conflicting versions of Yoruba history. “This project offers us the opportunity to separate fact from fiction and preserve authentic Yoruba history for posterity,” he said.

Also speaking, Special Adviser to Lagos State Governor on Works, Dr. Adekunle Olayinka, described the initiative as timely, urging that it will align with the Omoluabi ethos. He pledged his support to mobilise expertise and resources across the Southwest to ensure the success of the festival.

The Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Olanrewaju Bajulaiye, said the project is in tandem with the House of Assembly’s resolution on Yoruba Heritage and would evolve into a tradition that engages Yoruba people both at home and in the diaspora across art, culture, tourism, and education.

Delivering a presentation on the broader vision, DAWN Commission’s Head of Home Affairs, Mr. Segun Balogun explained that Yoruba Heritage Week is aimed at uniting Yoruba culture under one collective celebration, with Lagos serving as the natural hub.

He added that the festival would not only strengthen global Yoruba identity but also attract international recognition.

Balogun emphasised that the project would provide an authentic platform to counter misconceptions about Yoruba heritage. “This is not just an event but a process, built on DAWN’s Five Pillars of Transformation, New People, New Values, New Economy, New Institutions, and New Possibilities,” he said.

The proposed seven-day festival will feature: Ancestral Homage & Grand Opening, Heritage Assembly & Expert Discourse, Cultural Economy Summit & Fashion Runway, Governors’ Summit & Investment Fund Launch, Diaspora Summit & Excellence Celebration, Music Festival & Awards Ceremony, Closing Ceremony & Cultural Parade.