By Joyce Remi-Babayeju
The 2025 Edition of NAIJA Flavour held on Saturday, 13th December, 2025 at Monoliza Amusement Park in Abuja, was an atmosphere of
reviving the Nigerian culture.
From the array of food vendors displaying Nigerian cuisines and locally .made drinks like Zobo, Kunu, etc. to the fashion of a mixture of old and new blends, the festival was a sensory delight for tourism enthusiasts and young fun seekers.
From the gaily dressed “genzies” proudly wearing well crafted aso-oke patches on African fabrics was a revival of Nigerian culture, not leaving behind the older generations, the custodians of culture who have equally upgraded their fashion sense to an intertwined blend of the old and new.
Moreover, the different traditional swinging dance steps to different distinct beats of drums, flutes, local high-pitched cymbals and sounding rhythm which elicits what seems like the “dance of the gods” .
From the Oyo
Bata dance steps, Gbagi cultural troupe, amid the various sounds of drums, simply depicted a revival of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.
The NAIJA Flavour 2025 with the theme “ Echoes and the Drums,” remains a lasting
creation of the blend of old, young and new cultural heritage that puts Nigeria on the global map of culture and tourism .
The Director General of the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority, NTDA, Olayiwola Awakan said that the Naija Flavour 2025, a celebration that has become one of the most vibrant showcases of our nation’s cultural diversity, culinary brilliance, artistic creativity, and youthful energy.
Awakan noted, the event showcased our flavors, our talent, and our vibrant spirit.”
“Naija Flavour brings these strengths to life and positions Nigeria as a top destination for cultural and creative tourism.”
We present Nigeria not as a concept, but as an experience, one that is colourful, welcoming, and proudly African, the NTDA DG stated.
Awakan disclosed that, in line with its mandate, the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority is to strengthen Nigeria’s tourism brand, support creative enterprises, and build experiences that attract visitors, investments, and jobs. Events like Naija Flavour align perfectly with this mission, he emphasized.
However, Awakan that NTDA supports platforms that showcase the nation’s cultural diversity, empower young entrepreneurs, and promote Nigeria’s tourism brand to the world.
According to him, the aim is that festivals like NAIJA Flavour strengthen local economies, create jobs, inspire innovation, and unite communities.
“Today, we gather not just to enjoy food, music, fashion, and entertainment, but to affirm that the creative and cultural sectors are powerful drivers of national development.”
Around the world, tourism is evolving into a culture-led and experience-driven economy, adding that “Nigeria must continue to take its rightful place in this global shift, and Naija Flavour is one of the bold steps in that direction.”
He pointed out that partners are “curating a festival that amplifies local talent, gives visibility to our culinary artisans, creates space for emerging creatives, and unites communities.”
The NTDA boss emphasized that the agency was doing more than just hosting an event but building an economy that nurtures the growth of micro, small, and medium-scale enterprises, empowers young people, and strengthens national pride.
At the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority, we remain committed to supporting platforms that promote Nigeria’s cultural assets, deepening collaborations between government and the private sector, enhancing the quality and competitiveness of Nigeria’s tourism experiences, building enabling policies that ensure our creative entrepreneurs thrive, and using digital innovation to amplify Nigeria’s tourism brand globally.
As we look toward to a more prosperous future for our tourism and creative industries, I encourage all stakeholders to continue working together.
Awakan called for more investments in festivals from tourismand creative industries,in areas of cultural activities such as storytelling, and our cultural custodians to also showcase Nigeria not only to citizens, but to the world, promising that NAIJA Flavour is not a one stop event but one that will travel through the six geo-political zones of Nigeria.
He admitted that every flavour, every rhythm, every colour, and every performance at the festival is part of a bigger national story of Nigeria.
A Nollywood actor , Scriptwriter and filmmaker,
Jide Awobona who spoke with Daybreak admitted Nigeria’s culture thrives on, “our food, language, dressing, respect for the elderly and the Nigerian movies, adding that local movies replicate aspects of Nigerian culture.
He stated the Nigerian food which is now globally acceptable is also a strong embodiment of Nigeria’s beautiful culture.
End
