By Modupe Bankole
Oyo State Governor, Engineer Seyi Makinde, has received the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Certificate for the Sango Festival in Oyo, marking a historic recognition of the annual celebration as part of humanity’s cultural treasures.
The certificate, which followed the festival’s inclusion on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, was presented to Nigeria by the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, during the grand finale of the 2025 World Sango Festival held in Oyo town on August 16.
Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr. Wasiu Olatubosun, who accepted the certificate on behalf of the state, later presented it to Governor Makinde at the State Executive Council meeting on Tuesday, August 19. He commended the governor for his consistent support for cultural promotion and tourism development, stressing that his backing elevated the festival to global recognition.
Olatubosun recalled that following the UNESCO inscription in December 2023, Oyo hosted the maiden edition of the World Sango Festival in August 2024, which drew local and international participants. He added that the 2025 edition further surpassed expectations, with greater attendance and participation from foreign envoys.
In his remarks, Governor Makinde thanked the commissioner and his team for their dedication, noting that the recognition of the Sango Festival by UNESCO was the result of collective efforts to preserve and showcase the state’s cultural heritage
