‘Nigeria Day’ comes alive in Cotonou on February 21 – FInAB

The International Festival of Arts Benin (FInAB) has set aside a full day as part of its plans to celebrating the Nigeria Day scheduled for February 21, 2026, at the Family Beach during its 4th edition, to begin February 20 to March 1, 2026.

This special day showcases Nigeria’s rich culture, arts, and talent, featuring music, dance, theatre, and more, festival aims to promote cultural exchange and economic growth between Nigeria and Benin.

Themed “Benin-Nigeria: Creativity, Cultural Power, and Regional Unity,” the initiative signals a new chapter in cross-border cultural diplomacy between two of West Africa’s most historically intertwined nations.

This 4th edition of Benin International Arts Festival promises to be more festive, more colorful, and more open to the world, a 10-day event, starting Feb 20th to March 1st, transforming Cotonou into a giant stage for contemporary African creativity.

Led by Empire Événementiel, a subsidiary of the Empire Group, with the support of the Beninese government and national and international partners, FInAB aims to solidify its position as a major cultural event in West Africa.

The festival’s founder, Ulrich Adjovi, recounted the project’s origins, born from sense of lack during a meeting of cultural stakeholders from the sub-region where each country presented its major festival, except for Benin.
Representing the festival’s founder, Miss Victory Francis at a Press Briefing in Lagos said this year, FInAB has dedicated a full day for Nigerians, to celebrating the Nigeria’s arts and culture, being the giant of Africa, and a primary custodian of culture and arts.

According to him, “So a full day is dedicated to celebrate the rich heritage culture of Nigeria, the day is specialised on showcasing the culinary arts, the artistic, cultural performances of Nigeria, while we are called the giant of Africa.

He explained that the mission of the FINAB is to search for many hidden talents who didn’t have global stage to showcase their talents. “With the coming of FINAB, and with its three edition, we have been able to promote 500 artists.
“We’ve given them the global stage to meet one-on-one with those mentors who are matter most, showcasing their talents, and equally promoting Afrobeat music from Nigeria, and also different cultural music from all over the world.

“So this is the target of FInAB, giving platform to people, to raise talent for the younger generation”, he said.

Speaking further, he pointed out that the major aim of the festival through the ‘Nigeria Day’ is to achieve integration. “Integration in the sense that we can bridge the barrier, the invisible barrier between Nigeria and Benin.
He said, “Where an artist, a young upcoming artist in Potnogo, a city in Benin, can meet with a renowned artist in Yaba Nigeria or a renowned artist or people of different calibres work together in order to ensure, create global market, cultural corridor and a creative corridor that the global market cannot ignore”.

He added that the festival have always received international delegates from different parts of the world. “Last year we received about 150,000 international visitors, because we promote tourism, promote culture.

“So this year we are expecting 200,000 participants because every year we move on an increase, because the more we showcase talents, different communities, different countries come to us, and that’s what brings about the rise”.
He pressed further, “Over the years we have given rise to different communities, different international speakers, Nigeria coming to Benin is putting the giant of Africa at the limelight in a global stage, just like Benin, fostering the tourism, the cultural ties”.

On economic benefits, he said, “During the three editions, FInAB have had local and international exhibitors that came, made money and contributed to the Benin economy, so coming together of Nigeria and Benin will create a global stage”.

“The Benin–Nigeria cultural synergy is described as a “sleeping economic giant.” With a combined population exceeding 230 million people and a predominantly youthful demographic, both nations possess unmatched creative energy.

“Through “Nigeria Day”, FInAB aims to:
Integrate markets for creative exports. Empower youth through joint workshops and masterclasses. Advocate for improved infrastructure and ease of movement for artists.
“Build a combined cultural brand that commands global attention. This is cultural diplomacy in action — art as policy, creativity as commerce, and culture as a bridge.

“Today, we don’t just celebrate two nations; we celebrate one vision. A vision where the Benin-Nigeria axis becomes the world’s most vibrant hub for the arts”, he concluded.

Earlier, Amb. Kazeem Balogun, official consultant for FInAB informed the media that notable Nigerian cultural dignitaries, artistic troupes, VIP participants, and representatives from the Nigerian Embassy will attend the landmark celebration.

Stating that the collaboration is coming at the right time when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu just officially opened the border between the two countries for both good and human movement.

Also present at the briefing was Ayo Omotoso, CEO, Travelogue, one of the media partners.