Makinde Receives UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Certificate For Sango Festival

Oyo State governor, ‘Seyi Makinde, has received the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Certificate for Sango Festival, Oyo.

The certificate presentation was sequel to the festival making it to the representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity upon the proposal made by Nigeria.

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, had presented the certificate to Oyo State Government on Saturday, August 16, 2025, at the grand finale of the year 2025 World Sango Festival in Oyo town.

Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatubosun, who received the certificate on behalf of the state, presented same to the state governor during the Oyo State Executive Council meeting held on Tuesday, August 19, 2025.

While presenting the certificate to the governor, Dr Olatubosun lauded him for his commitment and unwavering support to all cultural and tourism activities in the state, which eventually paid off and turned Sango Festival into an international event.

The commissioner added, “After the inscription dated 5th December, 2023, Oyo State and Oyo town had the maiden edition of the World Sango Festival in August, 2024 in a grand style with attendance of people from all walks of life as well as envoys from various countries and embassies, and the just concluded 2025 World Sango festival was not an exemption, as there was an improvement on the year 2024 edition.”

Responding, Governor Makinde expressed his appreciation to the commissioner and his team, saying that their efforts culminated in the recognition of the festival by UNESCO.

—–Kunle Bakare