Welcome to the Northern Nigeria States Art, Tourism, Culture and Heritage Festival.

Unlocking the Untapped Opportunities in Arewa’s Arts, Culture, and Creative Economy

In a world where societies are grappling with inequality, climate change, unemployment, and fragile peace, the urgency to explore new pathways for inclusive development has never been greater. Beyond technology and finance, culture stands out as one of humanity’s most underutilized yet powerful assets. Against this backdrop, the Arewa Kulture Festival emerges as a compelling platform—celebrating Arewa State’s cultural diversity while advancing the Sustainable Development Goals through creativity and cultural diplomacy.

Culture as capital, heritage as infrastructure

The festival repositions culture not as a peripheral activity, but as a strategic driver of growth, resilience, and unity. By spotlighting the arts, heritage, and creativity of Arewa’s 10 ethno-linguistic nationalities, the Arewa Kulture Festival mobilizes human, social, and financial resources that can be harnessed for inclusive development. It demonstrates that cultural diversity is not just identity—it is infrastructure for peace, sustainability, and prosperity.

Community engagement and social cohesion

Arewa creates opportunities for deep community engagement. Through cultural showcases, 2rybe festivals, and heritage marketplaces, it rallies citizens around shared goals of unity, pride, and resilience. Communities are mobilized not only to celebrate their traditions, but to use them as springboards for innovation, social cohesion, and inter-ethnic harmony.

Economic empowerment through creative value chains

By promoting culture as enterprise, the festival fosters grassroots empowerment and economic revitalization.

Creative-preneurs and artisans gain access to new markets.

Heritage-based SMEs are supported to scale.

Culinary, fashion, music, film, and tech sectors find new avenues for growth.

This economic activity stimulates local tourism, attracts investment, and positions Arewa as a creative economy hub for Nigeria and Africa.

Policy advocacy and global diplomacy

As Africa’s first heritage impact festival of its kind, Arewa serves as a platform for policy dialogue and international engagement. It amplifies the importance of cultural assets for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals—particularly those on gender equality, peace, climate action, and economic growth. By drawing in governments, NGOs, the private sector, and the diplomatic community, the festival builds partnerships that leverage resources, amplify impact, and elevate Arewa’s cultural diplomacy on the global stage.

Holistic pathway for sustainable development

Arewa is more than a celebration. It is a mission-oriented platform that addresses the social, economic, and environmental dimensions of development. By connecting heritage to innovation, and tradition to transformation, the festival envisions a future where culture powers sustainability, inclusivity, and dignity for all.

The Promise of AREWA Heritage

Arewa’s rich heritage—from music and crafts to cuisine and festivals—can be harnessed as a catalyst for unity, entrepreneurship, and global engagement. Through the Arewa Kulture Festival, these heritage treasures are not only celebrated, but activated as tools for economic resilience, community pride, and cultural diplomacy.

✨In essence, the Arewa Kulture Festival transforms heritage into humanity, culture into capital, and creativity into opportunity—unlocking a just and sustainable future for Arewa State, Nigeria, and Africa.

Development impact outlook

AREWA Drive 10.0

Job Creation Through Culture and Creative Economy Value Chains

Job Creation Through Culture and Creative Economy Value Chains At its core, AREWA is an engine of job creation. By activating value chains in film, music, fashion, culinary arts, tourism, crafts, and cultural technology, the

Heritage Envoy Empowerment Program for the Global Goal Agenda

Heritage Envoy Empowerment Program for the Global Goal Agenda Through the AHEGGA platform, the Festival empowers 41,300 Heritage Envoys—100 from each of the region’s 413 local government areas—to champion the UN Sustainable Development Goals. These

Impact Investment Endowment Fund for Creative and Cultural Infrastructure

Impact Investment Endowment Fund for Creative and Cultural Infrastructure The Festival catalyses the creation of an endowment fund dedicated to long-term investment in AREWA’s creative and cultural infrastructure. This fund will support the development of

Gender-Responsive Empowerment for Inclusive Development

Gender-Responsive Empowerment for Inclusive Development Women are central custodians of cultural traditions, from culinary heritage to crafts and performance arts. The AREWA Kulture Festival intentionally foregrounds women’s leadership in the creative economy by providing platforms,

Eco-Citizenship for the Green and Blue Economy

Eco-Citizenship for the Green and Blue Economy The Festival links cultural identity with ecological responsibility by promoting eco-citizenship. Through its Eco2rybe programmes, AREWA encourages communities to adopt sustainable practices that protect AREWA’s waterways, forests, and

Fostering Next-Gen Creative and Culture Entrepreneurs Across 413 LGAs

Fostering Next-Gen Creative and Culture Entrepreneurs Across 413 LGAs AREWA is not only about celebration but incubation. By providing platforms, training, and exposure for young talents across the state’s 413 Local Government Areas, the Festival

Diversity Integration of 10 Ethnic-lingual Nationalities for Unity, Peace, and Security

Diversity Integration of 10 Ethno-lingual Nationalities for Unity, Peace, and Security AREWA State is home to 10 distinct ethno-lingual groups, each with its own heritage. The AREWA Kulture Festival integrates these identities into one collective

Culture Diplomacy Carnivals for Heritage Tourism Investment

Culture Diplomacy Carnivals for Heritage Tourism Investment Through cultural diplomacy carnivals, the Festival provides international and regional partners with immersive experiences that highlight AREWA’s unique identity. These events act as soft-power platforms, strengthening diplomatic relations

Bankability of 10 Culture and Creative Economy Marketplace Investments

Bankability of 10 Culture and Creative Economy Marketplace Investments The Festival identifies and unlocks 10 high-potential creative economy markets—from film production and fashion to culinary arts, music, and tech-based storytelling. By presenting these sectors as