Federal Government is set to launch the African Global Festival Nigeria, known as AGLOFEST, in October, aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s cultural diplomacy, economic cooperation and engagement with Africa and the global Black Diaspora.
The festival is being developed through a public-private partnership involving the Federal Government and key stakeholders. It is expected to bring together government officials, investors, businesses, cultural institutions, creative industry professionals, entrepreneurs, development partners and members of the global Black Diaspora.
The initiative is being implemented in collaboration with relevant ministries, departments and agencies, including the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy; the Ministry of Trade, Investment and Industry; and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
AGLOFEST is designed to position Nigeria as a major meeting point for the African Diaspora while promoting the country’s cultural heritage, tourism potential, creative industries and investment opportunities to an international audience.
The Federal Government had separately announced the October launch through the Permanent Secretary, General Services Office in the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Dr Ibrahim Kana, who said President Bola Tinubu had approved the initiative.
According to the statement, AGLOFEST is intended to use culture as an entry point for wider economic engagement, with organisers targeting opportunities in tourism, hospitality, aviation, transportation, entertainment, creative industries, trade, investment and infrastructure.
The festival will have three major components: the Black Diaspora Economic Forum, which will focus on trade, investment and business partnerships; the Black Diaspora Cultural Presentation, which will showcase African heritage and creative expression; and the Renewed Global Hope and Peace Concert, centred on music, peace and unity.
Speaking on the initiative, the Convener of AGLOFEST and Chief Executive Officer of T-BYK, Tunde MacAlabi, expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for approving the programme and acknowledged the support of the participating ministries and government agencies..
MacAlabi said the presidential approval represented a major step towards establishing the festival as an international platform for Nigeria’s engagement with the African Diaspora.
“AGLOFEST was conceived as a platform through which Nigeria can deepen its economic, cultural and strategic relationship with the global Black Diaspora. The October 2026 launch will mark the beginning of a new chapter in positioning Nigeria as a leading global hub for Black cultural expression, investment, tourism and economic cooperation.” He said.
The organisers said preparations were ongoing, including engagements with prospective international participants, investors, sponsors, cultural organisations, strategic partners and members of the global Black Diaspora.
The festival’s development builds on an earlier version of the AGLOFEST project announced in 2025, when organisers described it as a cultural and socio-economic platform aimed at connecting Africans and the Black Diaspora through culture, creativity and business.
MacAlabi also called on state governments, private-sector organisations, international institutions, development partners, cultural institutions and members of the global Black Diaspora to support the initiative and contribute to its successful implementation.
