Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, presenting the UNESCO World Heritage Certificate of Inscription for the Sango Festival to His Imperial Majesty, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade, the Alaafin of Oyo, during the grand finale of the Sango Festival over the weekend.
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has officially acknowledged the Sango Festival as part of its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.
Hannatu Musawa, Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, presented the UNESCO certificate of recognition to His Majesty Oba Abimbola Abdulhakeem Owoade I, the Alaafin of Oyo, during the closing ceremony of the 2025 World Sango Festival in Oyo State, as reported by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
Musawa described the recognition as a pivotal moment for Nigeria’s cultural heritage, emphasizing her ministry’s dedication to preserving and promoting the nation’s diverse traditions for global diplomacy and sustainable tourism.
She praised the partnership between her ministry and the Oyo community, stating that this milestone supports the federal government’s objectives of cultural advancement, job creation, economic growth, and community development.
“My heartfelt congratulations go to Your Imperial Majesty, the new Sango Chief Priest, the Oyo community, and the entire Yoruba nation for the successful 2025 World Sango Festival,” Musawa said.
“The festival’s inscription on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity reflects the fruitful collaboration between our ministry and the Oyo community.
“This recognition elevates Sango’s cultural legacy to a global platform, reinforcing its value as a shared heritage.”
She added that the achievement aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritizes cultural preservation as a means of fostering international relations, sustainable tourism, and economic empowerment for local communities.
In response, the Alaafin of Oyo expressed appreciation to President Tinubu and the ministry for their efforts in promoting Nigeria’s cultural heritage, which culminated in this significant recognition. He affirmed the Oyo Kingdom’s commitment to collaborating with the federal government and the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy to further showcase Nigeria’s cultural identity worldwide.
The 2025 Sango Festival, attended by notable figures from Nigeria and beyond, provided a vibrant setting for the certificate presentation, underscoring the festival’s role as a cultural gem and a testament to Nigeria’s rich heritage.
