By Iroyin Yoruba Television
LAGOS, NIGERIA — OCTOBER 26, 2026
The Lagos State Government has announced the inaugural Lagos Gele Festival, scheduled for November 8, 2026, in a move aimed at celebrating Yoruba cultural heritage and recognising the artisans who have sustained the traditional headtie across generations.
The event is scheduled to take place at Eko Amore Garden in Lagos, beginning at 5 p.m. Idris Aregbe, Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tourism, Arts and Culture, announced the initiative on October 25.
According to Aregbe, the festival followed a proposal from a Lagos resident who called for the gele to receive greater recognition and a place on the state's cultural calendar. The proposal led to the announcement of a dedicated celebration focused on the traditional headtie and the people whose skills keep the practice alive.
The gele is an important part of Yoruba dress and ceremonial presentation. Its styles, fabrics and methods of arrangement can reflect personal taste, occasion and cultural expression. The practice also represents generations of knowledge passed between women and professional headtie stylists.
The planned festival will recognise gele stylists, fabric makers, headtie artists, photographers and women who have helped preserve the tradition. By bringing these groups into the spotlight, the event aims to acknowledge both the cultural significance of the gele and the practical skills involved in producing and presenting it.
The initiative also creates an opportunity to highlight the businesses connected to traditional fashion. Fabric suppliers, designers, stylists and photographers all contribute to the wider industry surrounding ceremonial dressing and cultural celebrations.
Aregbe invited Lagos residents, cultural enthusiasts, brands and prospective partners to contribute ideas and support the festival. He presented the event as a collective celebration of Lagos identity and an opportunity to showcase Yoruba culture to wider audiences.
The announcement comes amid efforts to use cultural programmes to strengthen tourism and support the creative economy. A dedicated festival could help give traditional fashion practitioners greater visibility, although its eventual economic impact will depend on attendance, participation and the opportunities created for local businesses.
For the initiative to become a lasting cultural platform, continued support beyond a single annual event will be important. Recognition, skills development and opportunities for younger practitioners could help ensure that the knowledge associated with gele-making and styling continues to be passed on.
The November 8 festival is expected to provide a public platform for celebrating the gele and the people behind its enduring place in Yoruba cultural life.