The Lagos Fanti Carnival will return to Tafawa Balewa Square on April 6, 2026, bringing one of the city’s oldest cultural expressions back into focus during the Easter period.

Rooted in the history of Afro-Brazilian returnees known as the Aguda, the carnival traces back to the nineteenth century, when formerly enslaved Africans settled in Lagos after journeys through Brazil. They arrived with distinct customs that gradually shaped life on Lagos Island, from architecture to food, music, and spiritual practice. Over time, these influences formed the identity now celebrated through the Fanti Carnival.

Today, the event stands as a living record of that exchange. Under the theme “A Homecoming of Heritage,” this year’s carnival builds on the 2025 comeback to be even bigger, with wider programming and increased participation. Community groups from Lafiaji, Isale-Eko, Olowogbowo, Campos, and Okepopo are expected to participate, each presenting distinctive styles shaped by neighbourhood histories, with their presence reflecting how the festival continues to be community-led despite its growing scale.

It will also extend beyond the procession, as plans include a curated exhibition presenting archival material and artefacts tied to Afro-Brazilian life in Lagos, as well as an economic summit exploring contemporary creative and commercial links between both regions. The day will close with a concert featuring live music rooted in samba-influenced Nigerian sounds.

Produced by Nuru Lab, the carnival forms part of Lagos’ broader push to position itself as a centre for cultural tourism, grounded in stories that connect continents through lived experience.