By Jumoke Owoola
Plans have been concluded for the 2026 edition of the Festival of Art for Economic Development FAED, a major cultural and creative empowerment initiative aimed at strengthening economic growth, youth development and cross border cooperation in border communities.
The fifth edition of the festival, organised by Integration Art Palace and Tour and powered by the Nigeria Customs Service Ogun I Area Command, will run from January 28 to February 15 2026, with activities spread across Idiroko and neighbouring border communities in Ogun State.
FAED 2026 is designed to further position art, culture and creative enterprise as practical tools for economic development, peace building and regional integration, particularly within border areas that serve as cultural and commercial gateways.
Activities will kick off on January 28 with the Final Skills Test for trainees who have undergone intensive creative empowerment training. This will be followed by a Cross Border Art Residency scheduled for February 8 to 15, bringing together artists and creatives from Nigeria and neighbouring countries to collaborate and exchange ideas.
The centrepiece of the festival, the FAED 2026 Colloquium, will hold on February 12 alongside a press briefing and art exhibition. The colloquium is expected to serve as a high level dialogue platform where policymakers, traditional rulers, security agencies, cultural practitioners and development stakeholders will engage on how creative empowerment can drive sustainable development and integration in border communities.
The event will be hosted by the Customs Area Controller Ogun I Area Command, DC O O Afeni, who will serve as Chief Host of the 2026 edition. The Executive Chairman of Ipokia Local Government, Hon Johnson Avoce Akhohomey, will attend as the Distinguished Guest of Honour, representing the host community and reaffirming the local government’s commitment to community based development.
The Executive Producer of the festival and Permanent Secretary of the Inter Border Forum, Dr Bonny Abisogun Botoku, will present the vision and objectives of FAED 2026, with emphasis on creative empowerment as a pathway to sustainable livelihoods and stronger regional cooperation.
Delivering the keynote address is the Deputy Mayor of Ifonyin Municipality in the Republic of Benin, Hon Alhaja Marufatu Falola Ileola, whose participation underscores the festival’s growing cross border and cultural diplomacy focus.
Other key contributors expected at the colloquium include AC A O Ogunjobi and the Onitaege of Itaege, HRM Oba Dr Mathew Ademola Abisoye, Omo Onikumu, Ski Aanugbade I, who will share insights on traditional leadership, security collaboration and community driven development.
Beyond discussions, FAED 2026 will feature a cross border art residency, an extensive art exhibition, tourism activities and courtesy visits scheduled for February 13 and 14. These activities are aimed at showcasing the cultural heritage and economic potential of border communities, while promoting tourism and people to people connection.
The festival will also mark the conclusion of a wide ranging creative empowerment programme that has trained beneficiaries from border communities in practical skills aligned with the cultural and creative industries.
Organisers say FAED 2026 remains committed to its founding vision, where creativity meets economic growth, by aligning culture with entrepreneurship, governance and diplomacy. Through this approach, the festival continues to strengthen border communities as centres of opportunity, cooperation and peace.
FAED 2026 will formally close with participants departing on February 15.
For media enquiries and official engagement, the Festival Secretariat can be reached via [email protected].
No comments