The Cross River State Carnival Commission has defended its decision to host the unveiling ceremony for the 2026 edition of Carnival Calabar in Lagos amid growing criticism and public debate.
The unveiling ceremony is scheduled to hold on May 31, 2026, at Eko Hotels and Suites, Lagos, a move that has sparked reactions from residents, tourism stakeholders, and social media users who questioned why the unveiling of Cross River’s biggest cultural event would take place outside Calabar.
Responding to the backlash, the Executive Secretary of the Cross River State Carnival Commission, Evangelist Austin Cobham, described the Lagos event as a strategic marketing initiative designed to attract corporate sponsors, investors, and national partners.
According to Cobham, Lagos remains Nigeria’s commercial capital and provides direct access to influential business leaders whose support is needed to sustain and expand Carnival Calabar.
He maintained that hosting the unveiling in Lagos does not in any way remove the carnival from Cross River State, stressing that the main festival activities will still hold in Calabar.
“The unveiling is purely promotional and aimed at strengthening the carnival brand nationally and internationally,” he explained.
The Commission further reassured the public that Calabar remains the official home of Carnival Calabar, popularly regarded as “Africa’s Biggest Street Party.”
However, the decision has continued to generate mixed reactions, with critics arguing that taking the unveiling outside Cross River could gradually weaken the cultural identity and tourism value associated with Calabar.
Some residents also expressed concerns that the move sends the wrong message about the state’s confidence in its own tourism infrastructure and economy.
Supporters of the decision, on the other hand, believe the Lagos unveiling could help attract bigger sponsorship deals, increase media attention, and expand the carnival’s reach beyond Cross River State.
The controversy has once again sparked conversations about the commercialization of cultural festivals and the balance between preserving heritage and pursuing national visibility.
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