Ijaw Nation Day Festival Lights Up Lagos with Pride and Tradition

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By Nwafor Oji Awala 

The vibrant heart of the Ijaw people beat strong in Lagos as the 2025 Ijaw Nation Day Festival entered its second day, transforming the serene Bics Garden and Boat Club in Lekki Phase 1 into a colourful celebration of unity, tradition, and cultural pride.

Organized by the Ijaw Initiative Movement, the festival served as more than just a cultural display — it was a powerful reminder of shared identity, resilience, and the enduring bond among Ijaws living within and beyond Lagos. The gathering brought together people of Ijaw descent, friends of the culture, and curious Lagosians from diverse ethnic backgrounds, all united in admiration of Ijaw heritage.

The event was a feast for the senses: from traditional wrestling bouts that drew cheers from the crowd, to the mesmerizing Omungu Aru war canoe regatta, electrifying masquerade displays, soul-stirring music, and delicacies that told stories of a people deeply rooted in their ancestral waters.

As dancers adorned in intricate regalia moved to the rhythm of ancient drumbeats, it was clear the festival was more than performance — it was an expression of identity, a reconnection to roots, and a moment of shared pride.


More than entertainment, the Ijaw Nation Day Festival is fast becoming a bridge of understanding between cultures. It provided a rare opportunity for cultural exchange in the multicultural hub of Lagos, reminding everyone that diversity, when celebrated, strengthens the social fabric.

As the festival gears up for its final day, the Ijaw people continue to make a bold cultural statement in the heart of Nigeria’s most cosmopolitan city — showing that when heritage is celebrated, a people are united.

Nwafor Oji Awala 

Photo & Original Story Credits: Ijaw Heritage Television International

(c) Prime Heritage Magazine

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