Nollywood Cultural Heritage Festival Honours Ambassadors
The 14th Nollywood Cultural Heritage Festival in Abuja recognised individuals championing African culture while highlighting the role of film, fashion, food, and tourism in preserving Nigeria's identity.
Nigerian culture took centre stage in Abuja as the organisers of the Nollywood Cultural Heritage Festival honoured individuals whose work has helped promote and preserve the country's rich cultural heritage. The recognition matters because it ties cultural preservation to jobs and creative business.
The award ceremony formed part of the closing activities of the festival's 14th edition, which ran from October 22 to 24, 2026, at the FCT Exhibition Pavilion in Abuja.
Organised by the Nollywood Cultural Heritage Festival (NCHF) in collaboration with the House Committee on Commerce of the House of Representatives, the event celebrated cultural enthusiasts and stakeholders whose contributions have helped showcase Nigerian values and traditions.
The festival was founded in 2012 by Chief Agility Onwurah Ifeanyi and has continued to provide a platform for celebrating African heritage through film, fashion, food, arts, and other creative industries.
This year's theme, “Preserving African Heritage Through Film, Culture, Tourism and Creative Enterprise,” reflected the organisers' focus on keeping cultural traditions alive while exploring their potential to create economic opportunities.
Who were the cultural ambassadors honoured at the Nollywood Cultural Heritage Festival?
Several individuals received awards and traditional titles in recognition of their contributions to cultural promotion.
- Dr Onyekachi Nwaogu, Director and Clerk of the House Committee on Commerce at the National Assembly, was recognised as the International Ambassador of African Culture.
- Adaora Sydney-Jack received the title "Ada N'ekwuru Ora”.
- Professor Munachimso Stella was recognised as “Adabuzo”.
- Okiemute Mrakpo was named Ambassador of African Culture.
- Nnena Njoku also received the title of International Ambassador of African Culture.
- Dr Queen Dillion was conferred with the chieftaincy title “Ugosimba”.
The recognition highlighted the contributions of people working across different areas of society to preserve and promote Nigerian and African cultural identity.
Speaking at the event, Nwaogu said the turnout demonstrated public support for the festival and its collaboration with the National Assembly.
He also stressed the relationship between culture and legislation, noting that appropriate legal frameworks were necessary to protect cultural values and support businesses operating within the creative sector.
He urged the award recipients to see their recognition as a responsibility to do more towards preserving African heritage.
More than an award ceremony
The festival featured several activities designed to introduce audiences to different aspects of Nigerian culture.
These included African film screenings, youth cultural programmes, mentorship opportunities, indigenous food exhibitions, fashion showcases and cultural performances.
The African Fashion Runway provided a platform for traditional Nigerian clothing, fabrics and contemporary African designs, demonstrating how indigenous fashion can remain relevant in modern creative spaces.
The food festival also celebrated indigenous cuisines, giving participating communities an opportunity to showcase their dishes and share aspects of their culinary heritage.
Other highlights included cultural dances, masquerade performances, folktales, and the cutting of the new yam, bringing different expressions of African tradition into one gathering.
The festival also unveiled its Face of NCHF 2026 through a digital competition themed “My Culture. My Identity. My Story.”
Together, these activities demonstrated that cultural preservation can extend beyond formal ceremonies to include fashion, storytelling, entertainment and everyday traditions.
Can Nigerian culture become a bigger business?
Beyond the celebrations, the festival also opened conversations about the economic value of cultural heritage.
Discussions during the event explored how legislation could support cultural preservation while creating opportunities for businesses and professionals in the creative sector.
This is particularly relevant to Nigeria's entertainment industry, where films, fashion, music, food, and tourism can introduce local traditions to audiences both at home and abroad.
Nollywood, for example, has the potential to preserve indigenous languages, traditional ceremonies, clothing and historical stories through films that reach millions of viewers. Fashion designers and food entrepreneurs can similarly turn cultural influences into products and experiences that attract customers.
However, sustaining these opportunities requires investment, supportive policies and collaboration between government institutions, cultural organisations and private businesses.
The festival's organisers have previously identified funding as a major challenge, calling for stronger partnerships to sustain the annual event.
Preserving the culture for the next generation
For the organisers, the festival represents more than an annual gathering. It is an opportunity to encourage Nigerians, particularly younger generations, to appreciate the traditions and values that shape their identities.
By bringing together cultural enthusiasts, filmmakers, fashion professionals, traditional leaders and other stakeholders, the event creates room for different communities to share their heritage and learn from one another.
The 2026 edition reinforces an important message: Nigerian culture can be celebrated, preserved and developed into sustainable creative opportunities.
As the country's entertainment industry continues to reach wider audiences, initiatives like the Nollywood Cultural Heritage Festival provide another platform for ensuring that the stories, traditions, and values behind Nigerian identity remain visible.
