The Osun State Government on Monday formally announced activities for the 2025 Adire Osun Festival, unveiling a robust cultural, economic and youth-focused agenda expected to reposition the state as a major creative and tourism hub.
Speaking at the World Media Conference held at the Exco Lounge of the Governor’s Office, key government officials highlighted the festival’s mission to preserve Yoruba cultural heritage while expanding economic opportunities for artisans, fashion designers and young entrepreneurs.
Chairman of the Osun Council for Arts and Culture, Hon. Ebenezer Adeniji, said this year’s theme—“Creating Wealth, Empowering Youths”—reflects the State’s commitment to transforming the indigenous Adire craft into a sustainable industry.
He emphasized that the festival goes beyond aesthetics and heritage recognition, describing Adire as “a living archive and a powerful engine of identity, creativity and economic hope.” Adeniji noted that the government has approved the training of 25 youths in each of the state’s 332 wards, providing technical skills, business mentorship and digital competencies.
According to him, unlocking the full value of the Adire economy requires “access to finance, design development, strong supply chains, branding and digital marketplaces,” as well as partnerships with local and international fashion and tourism stakeholders.
Representing Governor Ademola Jackson Nurudeen Adeleke, the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, announced that the Adire Osun Festival will now be an annual event aimed at boosting the state’s economy through tourism, job creation and the promotion of indigenous crafts.
He stated that the festival will help preserve Osun’s cultural identity while serving as a launchpad for designers and entrepreneurs seeking global exposure. Key highlights for the 2025 edition include:
Adire Osun Ambassadors Launch
Adire Osun Fashion Couture
Adire Osun Export Summit
Adire Osun Street Carnival
Igbalaye described the event as a strategic move to reclaim Osogbo’s historical identity as the cradle of Aro and Adire production.
Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Creative Economy, Events and Entertainment, Hon. Tunde Laface, revealed that over 1,000 Adire producers, fashion designers, craftsmen and accessory makers have already been empowered under the Adire Osun initiative, even before the festival’s maiden edition.
He described the festival as “a visionary legacy project” of Governor Adeleke, designed to drive youth engagement, employment and community development across the state.
Laface also detailed the elaborate plans for the Adire Osun Carnival, scheduled for Saturday, December 20, 2025. The Yorucentric carnival will begin at 10 a.m. at Olaiya Junction, moving through major areas of Osogbo including Old Garage, Ajegunle, Igbona, Ayetoro, and the Imole Deé flyover before concluding at Freedom Park.
The grand celebration will feature:
Colourful floats showcasing Yoruba cultural icons including Arugba (Osogbo), Oriolokun (Ile-Ife), Sango (Ede), and Ogedengbe (Ilesa)
Performances by Osun-based and top Nigerian artists
Live bands, DJs, MCs and cultural troupes stationed at major junctions
Youth-centric elements such as bikers, skaters, horses, drummers, Kegites and the Imole Choir Ensemble—all clad in Adire
An all-night concert will follow the carnival’s 9 p.m. closing.
The organisers assured journalists that security, traffic control and emergency services will be fully deployed throughout the festival, with adequate public awareness on road diversions.
Laface urged the governor to officially declare December 20th as Adire Day in Osun State, reiterating the administration’s commitment to building a creative economy comparable to the Calabar Carnival, Ojude Oba Festival and Osun-Osogbo Festival.
Officials collectively encouraged the media, investors and the public to support the festival, describing it as a pathway to improved internally generated revenue (IGR) and a stronger creative sector.
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