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Akwa Ibom targets increased tourist arrivals, business opportunities and job creation with an expanded 2026 Christmas Unplugged festival.
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Government introduces Ibom Kitchen to showcase indigenous cuisines and the Mbopo Akwa Ibom beauty pageant.
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Organisers project the festival as a tourism and investment platform, following over 4.5 million park visits recorded in 2025.
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Guinness World Record holder, Hilda Baci, is being courted as the face of Ibom Kitchen.
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Christmas Carols Festival will feature Dunsin Oyekan and other gospel artistes on December 18.
November 3, (THEWILL) – The Akwa Ibom State Government has unveiled an expanded programme for the 2026 Ibom Christmas Unplugged and Christmas Carols Festival, introducing new cultural and entertainment attractions to position the state as a leading tourism destination.
The Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Anieti Udofia, disclosed this during a media briefing in Uyo, where he announced that the new attractions include Ibom Kitchen, an indigenous culinary showcase, and Mbopo Akwa Ibom, a beauty pageant designed to promote the state’s cultural heritage.
Udofia said the 2026 edition would build on the achievements of the previous festival by expanding opportunities for tourism, commerce, cultural exchange and investment.
According to him, the 2025 edition recorded over 4.5 million visits to Unity Park, approximately 700,000 visitors to the state and more than one million views across social media platforms.
He added that the festival created over 5,000 jobs, accommodated more than 800 vendors and featured performances by 192 indigenous artistes, with positive impacts on hotel occupancy, transportation, Ibom Air and other businesses.
Under the new Ibom Kitchen initiative, each of the state’s 31 local government areas will be expected to prepare and serve at least five indigenous delicacies to showcase the culinary diversity of their communities and revive traditional dishes at risk of extinction.
The commissioner disclosed that discussions were ongoing with Guinness World Record holder, Hilda Baci, to make her the face of Ibom Kitchen, with an agreement expected to be signed in the coming days.
Another major attraction, Mbopo Akwa Ibom, scheduled for December 20, will celebrate indigenous beauty, intelligence, elegance and cultural identity. The winner will receive a prize and serve as the state’s tourism ambassador for 365 days.
The Village Square will provide an exhibition platform for the 31 local government areas to display their traditions, arts, crafts, music, dances and tourism attractions, while the Government Pavilion will showcase the achievements of Governor Umo Eno’s administration under the ARISE Agenda and facilitate investment engagements.
Udofia said the festival would officially open on November 30, 2026, at Unity Park, with the commissioning of the Ibom Kitchen and remodelled Ibibio Union Museum, followed by a carnival street party from Plaza to the venue.
He announced that construction of vendors’ kiosks would commence immediately, while a digital sales platform had been introduced to improve transactions. The cost of the kiosks is expected to be announced within the week.
The commissioner also said auditions for guest artistes would hold from November 3 to 4 at Dueua Hotels and Suites, Abak Road, Uyo, while 58 choir groups submitted applications for the Christmas Carols Festival, with 34 successfully completing the submission requirements.
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The Christmas Carols Festival, themed Peace on Earth, Goodwill to Men, will hold on December 18 at the Unity Park Amphitheatre, with gospel ministers Dunsin Oyekan, David G., Progress Effiong and Minister Solomon expected to lead ministrations alongside selected choir groups.
Other activities include Ibom Air Day on December 7, Civil Service Day on December 9, Corporate Hangout on December 10, Community Outreach on December 12, Women’s Day on December 15 and Niger Delta Day on December 19.
The programme will also feature an Under-20 football tournament involving youths from the 31 local government areas, with prizes of ₦5 million, ₦2 million and ₦1 million for the winner, first runner-up and second runner-up, respectively. The tournament is sponsored by Goddie Chemicals International and Sterling Oil Group.
Explaining the broader tourism vision, Udofia said the festival was designed to connect aviation, hospitality, culture, entertainment, heritage, transportation and investment into an integrated tourism economy that would attract visitors, encourage spending and stimulate business growth.
He added that the state government was upgrading Unity Park with an artificial lake, security post, modern conveniences, expanded walkways, a renovated and restocked Ibibio Museum and improved entrance facilities to enhance visitors’ experience.
Organisers said the festival would also provide sponsors and corporate partners with opportunities for brand visibility, customer engagement, product marketing and business networking. The 2026 edition’s theme is Taste of Akwa Ibom: Our Food, Culture and Heritage.
