The historic EPA Cultural Tourism Festival of Omuo-Ekiti has secured official certification from the Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development and will hold its 2026 edition on October 15.
The certification followed the formal registration of the festival with the Bureau, in line with the Ekiti State Tourism Law requiring cultural and tourism events in the state to be properly registered and recognised.
The development is expected to strengthen efforts to reposition the festival from a largely community-based cultural celebration into a structured tourism attraction capable of drawing visitors, researchers, cultural enthusiasts, investors and members of the Omuo-Ekiti diaspora.
The registration was formalised during a courtesy visit by the festival delegation to the Director-General of the Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development, Wale Ojo-Lanre, Esq.
The delegation was also received by the Director-General of the Ekiti State Homeland Intelligence Agency, Dr. Dotun Adetunberun, alongside senior officials of the Tourism Bureau.
Ojo-Lanre described the EPA Festival as an important repository of the history, identity and collective memory of Omuo-Ekiti and the wider Yoruba heritage.
He said proper documentation, certification, promotion and strategic packaging of cultural festivals were essential to transforming Ekiti’s cultural heritage into sustainable tourism attractions with measurable economic benefits.
According to him, the Bureau’s role is not to take ownership of community festivals but to collaborate with their custodians and organisers to improve organisation, visibility, documentation, safety, visitor experience and tourism value.
He also highlighted the importance of security to destination development, commending Dr. Adetunberun for supporting efforts to promote tourism in the state.
Ojo-Lanre said the prevailing peace and security in Ekiti had contributed to the state’s growing potential as a safe destination for tourists, investors and cultural visitors.
Speaking on behalf of the festival delegation, Rot. Oluwasegun Ojo, Chairman of Omuo Local Government Council and Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria, ALGON, Ekiti State chapter, described the revival of EPA Festival as an important cultural intervention for the community.
He said the festival would promote cultural preservation, intergenerational education, social cohesion, community development and economic activity.
“EPA Festival is a reawakening. It is a cultural renaissance,” Ojo said.
He disclosed that the festival was last performed in 1982 before its revival two years ago, stressing that the current effort was aimed at making the festival stronger, better organised and capable of attracting national and international attention.
Ojo called on sons and daughters of Omuo-Ekiti at home and in the diaspora, corporate organisations, tourism operators, cultural institutions and other stakeholders to support the renewed festival.
The Tourism Bureau also noted that a well-packaged EPA Festival could generate economic opportunities beyond the festival venue by benefiting transportation operators, hotels, food vendors, artisans, photographers, fashion businesses and entertainment providers.
Ojo-Lanre cited the recently concluded Ita Ajero Festival as an example of how cultural festivals could stimulate local businesses while promoting a destination.
He said the Bureau was ready to collaborate with the EPA Festival organisers in areas including tourism packaging, publicity, visitor management, documentation, stakeholder mobilisation and strategic promotion.
The festival delegation included Chief Akinlolu Adedoyin, Chief Saruku Johnson and Yeye Olori Eru, Mrs. Aladesanmi Titilayo.
The visit ended with the presentation of the festival’s official certification and a group photograph, marking a new partnership between the custodians of the EPA Festival and the Ekiti State Bureau of Tourism Development.
With official certification secured and October 15, 2026 fixed for the next edition, organisers say the renewed EPA Festival is being positioned not only as a celebration of Omuo-Ekiti’s heritage but also as a major cultural tourism attraction for Ekiti State.
