It was a beehive of life in Lagos on the 6th of April 2026, when people from different walks of life came together for The Lagos Fanti Carnival, which metamorphosed Lagos Island into a vibrant hub of culture, music, and economic activities.
It is true people celebrated the resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday in a low key, but the day after (Easter Monday), was a different ball game as thousands of government officials, cultural stakeholders both in Nigeria and the diaspora converged at Tafawa Balewa Square for the annual celebration of Afro-Brazilian heritage Fanti Carnival.
The event which was colorful celebrated the rich legacy of Afro-Brazilian returnees—commonly called the Aguda—who resettled in Lagos in the 19th century, with the theme, “A Homecoming of Heritage”.
It was a reinforcement of an enduring historical and cultural ties between Nigeria and Brazil, which highlighted the need to preserve indigenous traditions.
One of the leading voices at the event was The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Bopo Oyekan-Ismaila. While speaking to the press, she explained that the carnival has indeed put Lagos on a high pedestal in terms of economic and political development.
The carnival started with street processions that looked colourful. The melting point was at The Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) where they had the main event namely: drumming, dancing and different displays of music from different cultures.
Participants were cladded in different costumes embedded with beads, feathers and sequins using contemporary and traditional fabrics.
The attendees that later had a procession from Campos, Lafiaji, Isale-Eko, Olowogbowo, Okoo-Faji, Okepopo, and Epetedo added more colour to the event.
Some of the Nigerian artistes that made waves there were: Niniola, 9ice, Terry Apala, Teni, and Reminisce, who thrilled participants with their melodies.
Some of the personalities at the event included: The Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, alongside his wife, Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu, Deputy Governor, Mr. Kadiri Obafemi Hamzat, Aremo Olusegun Osoba, permanent secretaries in Lagos State both serving and retired, cultural enthusiasts and lots of people from different backgrounds and cultures.
The Lagos Fanta Carnival which attract over twenty thousand (20,000) participants has again demonstrated the significance of tourism as a catalyst to economic development in Lagos and by extension Nigeria.
