By Janefrances Chibuzor
As Cross River State prepares for the 20th anniversary of Carnival Calabar, Gabe Onah, Chairman of the Cross River State Carnival Commission, says the 2025 edition represents far more than a celebration. According to him, it is a powerful declaration that Nigeria’s tourism and creative economy has recovered from the severe disruption of the COVID-19 years.
“The last time Carnival Calabar truly operated at its height was in 2019,” Onah said in an interview. “Then COVID-19 came and shut down the whole world. Tourism and the creative arts suffered the most. What we are seeing in 2025 is a deliberate return to form.”
Tagged “Traces of Time,” the 2025 carnival, he explained, is designed to re-establish Carnival Calabar’s historic role as a major socioeconomic driver for Cross River State. Beyond costumes, music and street parades, Onah noted that the carnival has always functioned as a penetrator of the state’s economic and social fabric.
“With this theme, we are retracing where we came from, understanding where we are, and projecting where we are going,” he said. “We are restrategising to maintain Carnival Calabar’s role as a tool for economic stimulation, cultural expression and tourism growth.”
Onah pointed to December in Calabar as a growing international attraction. Over the years, the city’s festive calendar has evolved into a destination experience comparable to the popular “Detty December” culture seen in other global tourism cities. He attributed this appeal to the simplicity and authenticity of the Calabar experience.
“The unstrained December carnival fun and the economic ripples it creates have placed Cross River State on the international tourists’ beaten track,” he said. “Hotels are filled, transport services are busy, vendors thrive and creatives find relevance. That is real tourism impact.”
He stressed that sustaining this momentum would require strong collaboration between the public and private sectors. According to him, Carnival Calabar promotes the uniqueness of the state’s creative economy offerings beyond boundaries, but the full benefits can only be realised through deliberate investment, partnerships and shared ownership.
One of the strongest indicators of the carnival’s rebirth, Onah said, is the renewed atmosphere within Calabar itself. Under the administration of Governor Bassey Otu, he observed a visible reinvigoration of public interest and community participation in tourism and cultural activities.
“There is a reawakening,” he said. “I remember the night of the Christmas Tree lighting at Millennium Park on November 30. Even now, the city is experiencing a population explosion, and it is welcoming. The euphoria is back.”
According to Onah, bands, communities and creative practitioners have rediscovered the spirit that once defined Carnival Calabar. More importantly, he said, there is a growing recognition that tourism, culture and the creative arts are not just for entertainment but are strategic tools for socioeconomic development, job creation and global relevance.
Onah also highlighted the unifying power of the 2025 edition, which marks the 20th anniversary of the carnival. He described Governor Otu’s ability to bring together all former governors of the state as a defining moment in the festival’s history.
“The uniqueness of Carnival Calabar has always been in its role as an instrument for unification,” he said. “For this 2025 edition, that unity has been strengthened. The theme Traces of Time speaks to peace, and peace is a very expensive commodity on the national and international scene.”
Tracing the evolution of the creative sector in Cross River State, Onah credited successive administrations for building the carnival into a global brand. He recalled Governor Clement Ebri as a strong supporter of the arts, noting his renovation of the Cultural Centre Complex with modern lighting systems.
He described Governor Donald Duke as a transformational leader who identified culture, tourism and the creative sectors as viable development options. Governor Liyel Imoke, he said, institutionalised the carnival through scripted thematic content, training and deliberate brand building.
Under Governor Ben Ayade, Onah noted, the carnival expanded globally with innovations such as the international carnival segment, Miss Africa pageant, international food festival and bikers’ carnival.
“Now we have Governor Bassey Otu,” he said, “leading the narrative and celebrations of the 20th anniversary of Carnival Calabar 2025 like no other.”
For Onah, Carnival Calabar 2025 is ultimately about reflection and hope. “How can a people be so blessed?” he asked. “This carnival tells our story, reflects our times and shows that tourism remains a powerful force for unity, recovery and progress.”
