Ekaabo 2025 Events Line Up
Ekaabo 2025 will come alive with a vibrant lineup of signature events designed to celebrate culture, creativity, hospitality, and entertainment in Ibadan, Oyo State. From world-class showcases of heritage, tourism, hospitality, and culinary experiences, to engaging hangouts, lively music performances, and unforgettable night events, each program is carefully curated to create lasting memories for participants and audiences alike. With thousands of people expected from across Nigeria, Africa, and beyond, the events of Ekaabo 2025 will not only entertain but also inspire, educate, and strengthen cultural and economic connections.
The Amala Show at Ekaabo 2025 will take place on 25 November 2025 (Day 1 of the festival) at the National Museum of Unity, Aleshinloye. Dedicated to celebrating Ibadan’s most iconic delicacy, the event will bring together hundreds of Amala lovers for an unforgettable culinary experience.
Guests will enjoy a lively atmosphere where skilled cooks and renowned chefs prepare steaming bowls of Amala served with a variety of traditional soups.
From the smoky aroma of gbegiri and ewedu to the rich flavors of assorted meats, the show will highlight the diversity and creativity of Yoruba cuisine.
Beyond tasting, the event will foster cultural pride and community bonding, showcasing Amala not just as food, but as a symbol of heritage, identity, and hospitality. The Amala Show promises to be both a feast for the senses and a proud celebration of Ibadan’s culinary soul.
The Travel Show at Ekaabo 2025 will be a gateway into the ever-evolving world of global travel. At a time when Africa is fast becoming one of the most exciting destinations for both leisure and business, this show provides a platform for airlines, hotel chains, travel agencies, tour operators, insurance companies, fintech innovators, and technology providers to showcase their solutions to a ready and diverse audience.
The Travel Show is designed as a marketplace of opportunities. Visitors will encounter a wide range of exhibitors presenting everything from seamless booking systems and cutting-edge travel apps to luxury escapes, affordable holiday packages, and sustainable travel initiatives. For business travelers, it is a chance to discover corporate-friendly destinations and tools that simplify global mobility. For leisure seekers, it is a world of new adventures, unique experiences, and cultural discoveries—all within reach.
One of the highlights of the Travel Show is its focus on innovation and collaboration. Attendees will engage with leading industry experts through live demonstrations, panel discussions, and networking sessions that shed light on the latest travel trends. From AI-driven travel planning and contactless payment systems to eco-conscious itineraries and adventure packages, the Travel Show reflects the future of movement across borders.
For exhibitors, the Travel Show offers unmatched exposure. It provides a stage to connect with decision-makers, government officials, investors, media representatives, and thousands of potential customers in a single space. Whether you are a multinational airline looking to deepen your footprint in Africa or a young startup creating travel tech solutions, this show is the perfect launchpad.
Ultimately, the Travel Show at Ekaabo 2025 bridges the gap between people and places, technology and tradition, business and leisure. It creates an ecosystem where travelers, brands, and communities come together to explore what it means to travel in today’s interconnected world. It is not just about getting from one place to another; it is about creating journeys that inspire, connect, and transform lives.
The Tourism Show at Ekaabo 2025 is a dynamic showcase of destinations, cultures, and experiences—beginning with Ibadan, Oyo State, and Nigeria, and extending across Africa. As the cultural heartbeat of the Yoruba people and a city rich in history, Ibadan is the ideal stage for unveiling Nigeria’s tourism potential. From landmarks like Mapo Hall and Cocoa House to its bustling markets and heritage sites, Ibadan blends tradition with modern vibrance. Oyo State, with its festivals, sacred groves, and natural parks, further highlights Nigeria’s identity as a destination of authenticity and depth.
The Tourism Show celebrates Nigeria’s diverse tourism offerings—from cultural heritage trails in the southwest to eco-tourism in the north and coastal escapes in the south. With state tourism boards, heritage organizations, and private operators participating, the show positions Nigeria as a rising hub for both domestic and international tourism. It emphasizes opportunities for visitors to connect with communities, explore traditions, and enjoy world-class hospitality.
Beyond Nigeria, the Tourism Show offers a gateway to the rest of Africa, where nations and operators present their unique attractions. From safaris to festivals and historic sites, Africa’s diversity and global appeal will be on full display.
The show also serves as a forum for knowledge exchange, with panel sessions and seminars addressing sustainability, infrastructure, investment, and cultural preservation. This makes it both an exhibition space and a platform for shaping the future of tourism in Nigeria, Africa, and beyond.
For exhibitors, it is a chance to connect directly with investors, policymakers, media, and travelers. From eco-projects to cultural festivals and resorts, stakeholders will find opportunities to showcase their role in Nigeria’s—and Africa’s—tourism growth.
Above all, the Tourism Show affirms that Ibadan and Oyo State are not just hosts but examples of tourism’s promise. By spotlighting Nigeria first, then Africa, it underscores a powerful truth: tourism is about identity, pride, and shared prosperity.
The Hospitality Show at Ekaabo 2025 is a celebration of excellence, innovation, and service within Nigeria’s and Africa’s growing hospitality industry. Hosted in Ibadan, Oyo State, a city renowned for its warmth and cultural vibrance, the show provides the perfect backdrop for exploring the future of hospitality across hotels, resorts, event spaces, and allied services.
The show will highlight how Nigeria’s hospitality sector is evolving to meet global standards while preserving local identity. From luxury hotels and boutique lodges to eco-friendly guesthouses and innovative short-let providers, exhibitors will showcase the breadth of experiences available across the country. Corporate brands in travel, lifestyle, and hospitality technology will also present their solutions, emphasizing how digital transformation, customer experience, and sustainability are reshaping the industry.
Beyond exhibitions, the Hospitality Show is designed as a hub for knowledge exchange. Panel sessions and seminars will bring together hoteliers, investors, policymakers, and service providers to discuss pressing issues such as hospitality training, customer service excellence, tourism development, and international competitiveness. These conversations will chart pathways for both local operators and global brands seeking to expand in Nigeria and West Africa.
Networking will be a core feature, creating opportunities for stakeholders to form partnerships—from hotels linking with travel agencies to investors connecting with operators. For participants, it is not only a platform to showcase their offerings but also to explore investment opportunities, workforce development, and innovative collaborations.
Above all, the Hospitality Show will affirm that Ibadan and Oyo State are more than cultural centers—they are destinations of comfort, service, and hospitality. By spotlighting Nigeria first and then Africa, the show aims to inspire a reimagining of hospitality as a driver of tourism, economic growth, and global recognition.
The Culinary Show at Ekaabo 2025 is a vibrant celebration of food, flavor, and innovation, designed to highlight the richness of Nigeria’s cuisine while connecting it to the global culinary stage. Hosted in Ibadan, Oyo State, the show is set to transform the city into a lively food destination, attracting chefs, food entrepreneurs, brands, and enthusiasts from across Nigeria, Africa, and the world.
The Culinary Show will spotlight Nigeria’s diverse food culture, from Yoruba delicacies like amala, efo riro, and gbegiri to dishes from other regions including suya, tuwo, and jollof rice. Restaurants, food vendors, caterers, and culinary schools will showcase their expertise, offering attendees a journey through taste, tradition, and creativity. Alongside this, international influences and contemporary culinary trends will be presented, reflecting the fusion of tradition and modernity in today’s kitchens.
One of the show’s highlights will be its interactive experiences. Guests will enjoy live food tastings, mixology showcases, and chef-led masterclasses where experts demonstrate unique techniques, recipes, and plating artistry. Competitions will further energize the event, as chefs, mixologists, and culinary students compete for recognition and awards, creating excitement while inspiring future talent.
The Culinary Show is also a platform for education and business growth. Panel sessions will engage stakeholders on critical themes such as food entrepreneurship, agricultural value chains, health and nutrition, food technology, and opportunities for export. These conversations will link the culinary world to Nigeria’s broader economic development, showing how food is not only culture but also commerce and innovation.
For participants, the event is a chance to connect with partners, brands, and customers—from food producers and distributors to investors and policy advocates. For attendees, it is an unforgettable experience of taste, learning, and celebration.
Ultimately, the Culinary Show will demonstrate that Nigeria is more than a destination of history and culture—it is also a global food powerhouse. By bringing together tradition, creativity, and enterprise, the show positions Ibadan as the culinary heart of Nigeria and Africa, offering flavors and ideas that will resonate far beyond the festival.
The Heritage Show at Ekaabo 2025 is the grand centerpiece of the festival, a monumental celebration of Yoruba culture, history, and identity set to unfold in Ibadan, Oyo State—the cultural heartbeat of the Yoruba nation. On November 28th, 2025, the iconic Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, will come alive with breathtaking parades, traditional performances, storytelling, music, dance, and artistic displays, bringing together over 10,000 participants and spectators from across Nigeria and beyond.
At its core, the Heritage Show is a living exhibition of Yoruba legacy, designed to showcase not only the depth of cultural practices but also their relevance in the modern world. From symbolic parades representing the 33 Local Government Areas of Oyo State, to showcases by schools, associations, artisans, and performers, the event will embody the collective spirit, pride, and identity of the Yoruba people. Audiences will be treated to a rich blend of agbadas, geles, bata drumming, oral poetry, and cultural exhibitions that demonstrate both the diversity and unity within Yoruba tradition.
The show also provides a platform for intergenerational transmission of culture, engaging young people through performances, exhibitions, and learning opportunities that connect them to the artistry and values of their heritage. In doing so, the Heritage Show does more than entertain—it educates, inspires, and strengthens the bonds between the past, present, and future.
Beyond culture, the event will generate economic and social impact. Local artisans, costumiers, food vendors, performers, and service providers will benefit from new income opportunities, while the spotlight on Ibadan will attract tourists, researchers, and cultural enthusiasts from across Nigeria, Africa, and the diaspora. The Heritage Show thus positions Ibadan not only as a cultural capital but also as a hub of tourism, creativity, and community development.
Equally important, the Heritage Show fosters collaboration between stakeholders. Government institutions, traditional councils, cultural associations, schools, and private organizations will converge around the shared goal of preserving and promoting Yoruba culture. This collective effort will affirm Ekaabo 2025 as a signature cultural tourism event with global relevance.
More than just a festival, the Heritage Show is a movement of pride, unity, and identity. It is where the heritage of a people is not only remembered but celebrated with grandeur, color, and rhythm. It is where Yoruba culture takes center stage before the world, leaving behind memories and legacies that will last for generations.
The Creatives Show at Ekaabo 2025 is a vibrant convergence of ideas, talent, and expression, designed to bring together Ibadan’s most dynamic creative minds in one exciting space. Taking place on the final day of the festival, this event is more than just a gathering—it is an oasis of networking, relaxation, and collaboration for individuals across diverse fields such as art, music, fashion, photography, film, design, and digital innovation.
The Hangout promises a fun and relaxed atmosphere, with live music, board games, collaborative sessions, and interactive showcases that allow creatives to share their work and connect with like-minded individuals. It is an opportunity for young professionals and established names to exchange ideas, discover potential partnerships, and build communities that will outlive the festival itself.
At its heart, the Creatives Hangout is about celebrating imagination and innovation, while also encouraging collaboration as a driver for economic and cultural growth. By blending entertainment with meaningful conversations, the event will ensure every participant leaves with new friendships, fresh inspiration, and the motivation to keep building Ibadan’s creative economy.
The Dinner Night at Ekaabo 2025 is the festival’s most elegant affair, a black-tie evening of sophistication, reflection, and networking. Designed for professionals, executives, cultural stakeholders, and contributors to the Ekaabo project, this serene gathering provides the perfect setting to celebrate the festival’s achievements while strengthening professional and social ties.
Hosted in a refined venue with carefully curated décor, guests will enjoy a fine dining experience, soothing live music, and inspiring conversations, all within an atmosphere of class and exclusivity. The Dinner Night is not only a celebration but also a platform to honor the individuals, organizations, and communities whose efforts have made Ekaabo 2025 possible.
More than an evening of luxury, the Dinner offers participants the chance to connect across industries, foster collaborations, and build partnerships that will impact Ibadan’s social, cultural, and economic future. It is a night to pause, reflect, and toast to the success of Ekaabo 2025, while looking ahead to even greater possibilities.
The Rave Night is Ekaabo 2025’s ultimate grand finale—a high-energy celebration designed to capture the spirit and pulse of Ibadan’s vibrant youth culture. Set in the electrifying outdoor atmosphere of Woodland Ibadan, the Rave Night will bring together hundreds of young people for a late-night to early-morning explosion of music, dance, and unfiltered fun.
With top DJs on the turntables, pulsating lights, and the best of Afrobeats, amapiano, hip-hop, and electronic sounds, the rave will create an unforgettable environment of pure energy. Drinks will flow, beats will drop, and the crowd will dance until the sunrise—marking a spectacular close to the five-day festival.
The Rave Night is more than just a party; it is a statement of youth expression, inclusivity, and freedom, where Gen Z and millennials alike come together to celebrate life, culture, and connection. As the final memory of Ekaabo 2025, it will ensure that the festival concludes not with silence but with a resounding echo of joy, rhythm, and unity.