Governor Bassey Otu announced the target on Sunday during the flag-off of the carnival’s first dry run in Calabar. He was represented at the event by Deputy Governor Peter Odey.
The Chairman of the Cross River State Carnival Commission, Gab Onah, said the 2025 edition generated an estimated ₦19 billion in socioeconomic impact. Organisers are now exploring ways to surpass that figure this year.
Onah identified digitalisation as one of the strategies, explaining that online registration and voting had been introduced to expand public participation. The initiative will allow people to register as carnival band members and vote for Band of the Year.
He also disclosed that Nigerian music star Davido had indicated his readiness to participate in this year’s festivities, while discussions with some international participants were ongoing.
The 2026 edition is themed “Rethinking Our Collective Destiny”, with organisers presenting the festival as a platform for unity, inclusiveness and cultural expression.
Beyond entertainment, the carnival is expected to create opportunities for hospitality businesses, transport operators, food vendors, costume designers and young people in the creative sector.
However, the ₦19 billion benchmark represents an estimated economic impact, not necessarily direct government revenue. The success of the 2026 target will depend on visitor spending, business activity and how the economic benefits are measured.
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Cross River State is targeting more than ₦19 billion in economic benefits from Carnival Calabar 2026, with organisers banking on tourism, digital participation and major entertainment acts to boost the festival’s impact. Cross River State is targeting more than ₦19 billion in economic benefits from the 2026 Calabar Carnival as the government seeks to strengthen tourism, support local...
Key takeaways
- Cross River State is targeting more than ₦19 billion in economic benefits from Carnival Calabar 2026, with organisers banking on tourism, digital participation and major entertainment acts to boost the festival’s impact.
- Cross River State is targeting more than ₦19 billion in economic benefits from the 2026 Calabar Carnival as the government seeks to strengthen tourism, support local businesses and attract greater investment.Governor Bassey Otu announced the target on Sunday during the flag-off of the carnival’s first dry run in Calabar.
- He was represented at the event by Deputy Governor Peter Odey.The Chairman of the Cross River State Carnival Commission, Gab Onah, said the 2025 edition generated an estimated ₦19 billion in socioeconomic impact.
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Cross River State is targeting more than ₦19 billion in economic benefits from Carnival Calabar 2026, with organisers banking on tourism, digital participation and major entertainment acts to boost the festival’s impact. Cross River State is targeting more than ₦19 billion in economic benefits from the 2026 Calabar Carnival as the government seeks to strengthen tourism, support local...
Who published this story?
Glow 99.1 FM published this story with GlowRy Atuah listed as author.
When was it published?
October 19, 2026
