Art of AREWA
Create to Drive a Just and Creative Future for All...
The Art of Arewa is an art and culture marketplace mobility platform that merchandises artworks, performances, and digital creations celebrating Arewa’s heritage diversity, creativity, and cultural diplomacy. It provides a unique avenue for artists, designers, and culturepreneurs to transform expressions of identity into tangible economic opportunities.
Through exhibitions, auctions, and cultural showcases, the Art of Arewa converts creativity into tradable cultural commodities that stimulate local economies, empower artists, and elevate Arewa’s profile in the African and global art marketplace.
Beyond commerce, the platform serves as a vehicle for innovative finance, channeling proceeds from cultural trade into impact investment funds that support community development, youth training, women’s empowerment, and sustainability programs across the state.
By linking art, finance, and heritage, the Art of Arewa redefines how culture contributes to development—not just as preservation, but as a driver of capital, resilience, and social transformation.
AREWA Fashion
Arewa Fashion is a platform that connects the fashion and cultural community of Arewa State and Africa to celebrate the “flair and fashionomics” of the state’s 10 ethno-linguistic nationalities.
This celebration of traditional textiles, indigenous attire, beadwork, and craftsmanship not only honors the cultural identity of Arewa communities but also fosters pride and appreciation among its citizens—especially youth and women who carry these traditions forward.
Arewa Fashion promotes economic opportunity by creating market access for local designers, weavers, and artisans. By showcasing indigenous fabrics, accessories, and contemporary reinterpretations of heritage wear, the platform strengthens sustainable livelihoods while preserving the artistry of traditional craftsmanship.
At the same time, it connects Arewa’s creatives to the Pan-African and global fashion community, facilitating cultural exchange and dialogue. This promotes mutual appreciation of diverse styles, techniques, and heritage expressions, while positioning Arewa as a leader in Africa’s growing fashionomics ecosystem.
Through the Arewa Kulture Festival runways and exhibitions, fashion becomes more than aesthetics—it becomes a driver of creative enterprise, cultural diplomacy, and youth empowerment.
AREWA -3rybe-UP
The Arewa 3rybe-Up Carnival is the most colorful and dynamic heritage parade in Arewa State, celebrating the vibrant traditions of the state’s 10 ethno-linguistic nationalities. Positioned as Africa’s loudest and most diverse cultural carnival, it showcases Arewa as the cultural diplomacy capital of the Niger Arewa and the home of the largest 3rybe-Up Diversity Carnival on the continent.
This landmark celebration serves as a global showcase of Arewa’s cultural wealth, with breathtaking displays of music, dance, costumes, art, and heritage performances. It fosters pride and appreciation among Arewa citizens, while inviting visitors from across Africa and beyond to engage with the state’s living traditions—promoting cross-cultural learning, exchange, and understanding.
By positioning Arewa as a hub of cultural diplomacy and tourism innovation, the Arewa 3rybe-Up Carnival contributes significantly to the state’s creative economy, boosting visitor numbers, stimulating local businesses, and expanding employment in hospitality, fashion, crafts, and cultural enterprise.
Above all, the carnival is a symbol of unity and cohesion—a living embodiment of Arewa’s motto of “unity in diversity.” By bringing communities together in one shared celebration, it strengthens peace, fosters belonging, and demonstrates the power of culture as a driver of identity, dignity, and development.
AREWA Craft Festival
The Arewa Craft Festival celebrates the artistry of bronze, wood, beads, textiles, and leather craftsmanship across the 10 ethno-linguistic nationalities of Arewa State. It is a vibrant showcase of indigenous creativity, skill, and identity, positioning Arewa’s craft heritage as both cultural pride and economic opportunity.
The festival acts as a catalyst for economic revitalization in communities where traditional crafts are produced. By providing artisans with a platform to exhibit, market, and sell their work, it stimulates local economies, generates income, and creates employment across the craft value chain—from production to trade to cultural tourism.
Beyond commerce, the Arewa Craft Festival invests in the continuity of craftsmanship. Through workshops, mentorships, and live demonstrations, it provides aspiring artisans—especially youth and women—with hands-on experience and practical training. This ensures that indigenous knowledge is passed on to new generations while adapting to modern markets.
The festival also promotes cultural exchange and appreciation, allowing visitors and citizens to explore the unique textures, symbols, and meanings embedded in Arewa’s crafts. In doing so, it fosters pride among local communities while amplifying Arewa’s identity as a hub of heritage innovation.
By linking traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design, the Arewa Craft Festival helps artisans tap into creative tourism, global markets, and sustainable livelihoods, reinforcing the role of culture as infrastructure for inclusive development.
AREWA MOVE
Arewa Move is the first heritage and tourism mobility festival in Arewa State, empowering eco-cultural “Riderthons” across the state’s cultural tourism destinations and bringing citizens together through movement, adventure, and cultural celebration.
The Riderthons organized by Arewa Move are powerful social engagement campaigns that promote Arewa’s cultural festivals, tourism routes, and heritage hubs. Bikers, cyclists, and walkers traverse key cultural corridors, turning the journeys themselves into platforms for community interaction, identity pride, and global visibility.
At the heart of Arewa Move is a shared passion for exploration, adventure, and cultural discovery. Participants journey through Arewa’s riverside communities, historic towns, and heritage sites, celebrating music, fashion, food, and crafts along the way. These journeys forge stronger connections between citizens and communities while positioning participants as ambassadors for cultural diplomacy and creative tourism.
The initiative also embeds social advocacy and environmental stewardship. By promoting eco-friendly modes of mobility—biking, cycling, and walking—Arewa Move demonstrates a commitment to sustainability and responsible travel. This reduces environmental footprints while raising awareness of Arewa’s need for green and blue economy pathways.
More than just physical journeys, Arewa Move Riderthons are symbols of unity and collective action. They unite individuals around a shared mission: to celebrate heritage, promote inclusivity, and accelerate community-driven development through culture and creativity.
AREWA Rhythm
AREWA Reel
Arewa Reel is a flagship platform that harnesses the immense talent and resources of Nigeria’s world-renowned movie industry to amplify the power of the Arewa Kulture Festival. By merging two influential sectors—film and culture—it creates a powerful stage for heritage celebration, youth empowerment, and creative economy growth.
The collaboration between the Nigerian film industry (Nollywood) and the Arewa Kulture Festival significantly expands the reach and impact of Arewa’s cultural diplomacy. Nollywood’s global influence—across Africa, the diaspora, and beyond—ensures that Arewa’s heritage and creative economy receive international visibility, drawing attention, investment, and tourism.
Arewa Reel enhances the festival experience by incorporating cinema, storytelling, and live performances into its programs. Through film screenings, heritage-inspired productions, celebrity showcases, and interactive creative labs, audiences are immersed in the sights, sounds, and rhythms of Arewa culture. This fusion of entertainment and cultural heritage not only entertains but educates, deepening appreciation of Arewa’s identity while inspiring cultural pride and innovation.
The platform also provides a launchpad for emerging filmmakers and storytellers to showcase their creativity, particularly works that highlight heritage, sustainability, and community life. By spotlighting stories rooted in food, fashion, music, and local traditions, Arewa Reel elevates the voices of Arewa’s young creators while positioning them for collaborations and exchanges with filmmakers worldwide.
In essence, Arewa Reel is a tool of cultural diplomacy and economic transformation. It fosters cultural exchange, empowers creative entrepreneurs, and projects Arewa’s voice onto the global stage, making the festival not only a local celebration but a world-class showcase of Nigeria’s creativity, diversity, and resilience.
AREWA Arena
Arewa Arena is designed to celebrate Arewa’s Indigenous Sports and Cultural Diversity Festival, a platform where young athletes, performers, and communities showcase their heritage through sport, creativity, and cultural diplomacy.
The festival highlights Arewa’s rich sporting traditions, including wrestling, dance battles, boat regattas, and other heritage games practiced across its 10 ethno-linguistic nationalities. By bringing these traditions into the spotlight, Arewa Arena promotes unity, respect, and pride in the state’s shared sporting and cultural legacy.
At the same time, Arewa Arena is a catalyst for sports tourism. By attracting athletes, fans, cultural troupes, and visitors from across Nigeria, Africa, and the diaspora, the festival generates new streams of tourism revenue, supports small businesses, and stimulates hospitality and creative industries. Its vibrant blend of thrilling competitions and cultural showcases enriches the travel experience and rebrands Arewa as a destination for both culture and sport.
For youth, Arewa Arena serves as a powerful empowerment platform. It provides young athletes and creatives with the opportunity to showcase their talent, gain exposure, and pursue professional pathways in sports, fitness, tourism, and creative industries. The recognition and experience they gain open doors to further advancement and development.
Through its dynamic events and cross-cultural engagement, Arewa Arena goes beyond entertainment. It positions sport as a tool for cultural exchange, economic development, and community cohesion, ensuring that athletic excellence and heritage pride become engines of opportunity and sustainable growth in Arewa.