MORGANABLE LIFE & CULTURE / EXHIBITION
The 14th Nollywood Cultural Heritage Festival will bring film, fashion, food and traditional arts together in Abuja as organisers prepare to celebrate Nigeria’s diverse cultural identity.
Akure —
The 14th Nollywood Cultural Heritage Festival will bring film, fashion, food and traditional arts together in Abuja as organisers prepare to celebrate Nigeria’s diverse cultural identity. The three-day event will hold from October 22 to October 24 at the FCT Exhibition Pavilion.
The festival, organised under the theme “Preserving African Heritage Through Film, Culture, Tourism and Creative Enterprise,” will recognise cultural enthusiasts and other stakeholders. Organisers say the programme will highlight people whose work continues to promote Nigerian heritage at home and abroad.
Agility Onwurah, founder and president of the Nollywood Cultural Heritage Festival, announced the programme in Abuja. He said the festival would celebrate contributions across film, fashion, art, tourism and other creative fields. He also called for stronger partnerships to keep cultural preservation efforts growing.
One of the major attractions will be the African Fashion Runway. Industry participants will model traditional Nigerian clothing and showcase fabrics and styles linked to different communities. The runway will therefore give audiences an opportunity to see how indigenous fashion continues to influence modern creative expression.
In addition, the festival will feature an African Food Fest. Communities and states will have an opportunity to present indigenous meals while sharing information about their nutritional value. This will place food at the centre of cultural storytelling and give participants a chance to explore Nigeria’s culinary diversity.
Film will also remain central to the event. Organisers plan to screen African-themed movies and present awards in categories including Best Film and Best Director. As a result, the festival will create a space where filmmakers can connect their work with wider conversations about identity, heritage and representation.
The programme will also include cultural dances, traditional displays and comedy performances. These activities will give participants different ways to experience Nigerian traditions. Rather than focusing on one form of culture, the festival will bring several creative expressions together in one programme.
Another major feature will be “Egwu Onwa,” or Moonlight Night, on the opening day. The activity will be organised in partnership with the Abuja Resident Musicians Association. It will combine live music with traditional activities and recreate the communal atmosphere linked to moonlight storytelling.
According to Onwurah, moonlight gatherings once provided a setting for people to tell stories, discuss daily events and share community experiences. Bringing that tradition into a modern festival could help younger audiences understand how storytelling once shaped social life in many Nigerian communities.
The organisers will also hold panel discussions and keynote presentations around the theme of “culture and money.” This conversation will examine ways people can turn cultural heritage into sustainable opportunities without losing its meaning. The approach gives the festival an important creative-economy angle.
For many Nigerian creatives, culture is not only a source of identity. It can also support jobs, businesses and new forms of enterprise. Therefore, discussions about monetising heritage could help artists, designers, filmmakers, food entrepreneurs and tourism practitioners consider new ways to build sustainable careers.
The festival will remain free to participants. Organisers said the decision would encourage wider participation and allow more people to experience the programme. At the same time, the organisers are seeking stronger support from public and private organisations to sustain the annual event.
The fashion showcase could be particularly significant because Nigerian clothing has gained greater attention in local and international creative spaces. Traditional fabrics and indigenous designs continue to inspire contemporary collections. By placing them on a festival runway, organisers can connect heritage with current fashion conversations.
Food will provide another strong cultural connection. Nigeria has a wide range of indigenous dishes linked to different communities. Presenting these meals at the festival can encourage people to learn more about their origins, preparation methods and place within community life.
Meanwhile, the film programme can help audiences explore cultural stories through a medium that reaches younger generations. Nollywood already plays a major role in telling Nigerian stories. Cultural festivals can therefore complement the film industry by creating spaces where filmmakers and audiences discuss the traditions behind those stories.
The festival’s focus on tourism adds another dimension. Cultural sites, festivals, crafts, food and traditional performances can attract visitors and create opportunities for local businesses. With better promotion, these experiences could support tourism while encouraging communities to preserve traditions that make them distinctive.
Importantly, the festival is not designed only for established professionals. Its broad programme creates room for different participants, including artists, performers, designers, filmmakers, food entrepreneurs and cultural enthusiasts. This inclusive approach could encourage more people to see heritage as something they can actively preserve and develop.
The organisers are also encouraging people to represent their communities. Onwurah said participants could support the festival by bringing their cultures into the programme. This could help audiences discover traditions outside their immediate environments and encourage stronger appreciation for Nigeria’s cultural diversity.
As the October dates approach, attention will turn to the people, performances and stories that will shape the festival. The programme promises a combination of entertainment and cultural education. It will also create opportunities for conversations about how heritage can remain relevant in a changing society.
The programme will also promote dialogue between generations.
Ultimately, the Nollywood Cultural Heritage Festival seeks to connect Nigeria’s past with its creative future. Through film, fashion, food, music, tourism and traditional arts, the event will provide people opportunities to engage with heritage. If organisers achieve their goals, the edition could strengthen cultural awareness.
With the event scheduled for October 22 to 24, the festival has an opportunity to bring communities, creatives and cultural stakeholders together in Abuja. Its success will depend on participation and support. However, its message remains clear: preserving Nigerian heritage can go hand in hand with creativity.
