₦airaland Forum

The Lagos State Government has unveiled a ₦2 million prize for the participant with the best headtie at the 2026 Gele Festival, as part of efforts to promote Yoruba cultural heritage and empower young artisans.

The festival, scheduled for Sunday, November 8, will also feature skills development programmes, masterclasses and mentorship sessions aimed at equipping hundreds of young Gele artists with the expertise to tap into opportunities in the creative and event industries.

The Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Idris Aregbe, disclosed this on Wednesday while briefing journalists ahead of the event.

He said the festival was conceived to preserve Yoruba cultural heritage while providing women with practical skills to become economically self-reliant.

Aregbe described Gele as an important aspect of Yoruba identity and fashion, noting that different headtie styles carry cultural meanings and reflect the creativity of their designers.

"Number one is about protecting our culture, protecting what the Yoruba believes in.

“The Gele itself is something very unique to us. It is something we use to celebrate, use for style, and use to enhance the beauty of our mothers and women. Some of these headwraps carry deep cultural interpretations.

“We came up with the Gele Festival to amplify conversations around this heritage and appreciate the master stylists who have spent years innovating the unique designs we see every day,” he said.

Beyond cultural promotion, the special adviser said the initiative was designed to create economic opportunities for participants by connecting their skills to Lagos’ growing events and creative economy.

According to him, the state government considers tourism, arts and culture important tools for economic empowerment rather than mere entertainment.

“For me, tourism, arts, and culture must go beyond just entertainment; it must be impactful.

“If we empower one woman, we empower the family and the entire community. Lagos hosts countless events and celebrations every weekend. By training these artists, we are creating a fresh workforce equipped to secure their share of the economic opportunities in our state and put food on their tables,” he said.

Aregbe disclosed that the government was making plans to enrol successful participants in an official Lagos creative database to connect them with event organisers, high-profile functions and tourism showcases across the state.

He added that the initiative aligned with the government’s THEMES+ agenda, particularly its emphasis on gender equality, fairness and inclusive economic growth.

The special adviser further said registration for the training programme had exceeded initial expectations, prompting plans for additional masterclasses and mentorship sessions after the festival to accommodate more interested participants.

https://www.vanguardngr.com/2026/11/lagos-gele-festival-offers-%e2%82%a62m-prize-trains-young-stylists/

Ewo gele genge lori ajigbotoko

Gele would be calling and bowing to gele that day. 😂
I love the way Lagos is really using opportunities to remain at the top, Lagos knew how gele making is putting food on people's tables and through that, recognises it and creates a festival for it. As in brain bokku for that state with the right people on power.

Our beautiful gèlè that that some people became envious of and want to turn it to a strange name.
Gèlè is gèlè For hundreds of years.
Gele o dun bi ka mo we, ka mo we ko dabi ko yeni.

This event should strictly be for Yoruba people... the owners of the culture should be ones projecting Yoruba heritage to the world.

This is impressive. Gele to the world.

Hmmm. In Lagbaja’s voice : “ Oni gele yi………skontolo “

At Least Empowerment For Best Gele Head Tie is Far Better Than Rewarding a BBN Harlot , Hookup Girls For Doing Porn On Life TV

Culture vultures, how far?

Giving credence to rubbish. All sectors are crumbling and it's gele we want to celebrate

the wave of conservatism blowing across Lagos and yorubaland must be applauded……we must continue to showcase and promote our culture and heritage and I’m happy Lagos yorubaland is setting the pace. We should start telling our stories before some people without history and culture rewrite our history like they already doing but we will continue to set the record straight……Eko oni baje oo btw proudly Lagos

GELE, NOT " ICHAFOOL"...

xxxxx

mannobi:
Our beautiful gèlè that that some people became envious of and want to turn it to a strange name.
Gèlè is gèlè For hundreds of years.
Gele o dun bi ka mo we, ka mo we ko dabi ko yeni.

😂😂😂 don’t mind does people with inferiority complex……I heard they called it one funny name that sounds like scarf…..total lack of originality na why dem the counterfeit everything for market

Abeg, where the event dey take place? I wan go enjoy

Nice one. Love anything that promotes our culture.

dibunotion:
Giving credence to rubbish. All sectors are crumbling and it's gele we want to celebrate

The fact that your entire life is crumbling doesn't mean others share your misfortune.

Gele has only one style

Gele has only one style

Gele has only one style

Gele has only one style

Gele has only one style

Gele has only one style


Gele has only one style




Gele has only one style

Gele has only one style



Gele has only one style




Gele has only one style



Gele has only one style


Gele has only one style


Gele has only one style


Gele has only one style


Gele has only one style



Gele has only one style


Gele has only one style


Gele has only one style




Gele has only one style


Gele has only one style



Gele has only one style





Once you change it them you know the territory you're entering into

Imagine people whose ancestors were stark naked a century ago claiming Gele.

I hope they won't start claiming Fila as well.

I really love the way we Yoruba people are becoming more conservatives.

Remember, loving your kinsmen or your culture is not tribalism.

We won't allow that "Ichafu" nonsense festival to hold in Lagos. Gele is our own; we don't know any "Ichafu" in Yoruba land— take it to your land.

God bless Lagos state.
God bless Yoruba land.
God bless Nigeria.

These head coverings is why so many women are bald with alopecia in Naigeeria, how can people, men and women wear caps, "gele" whatever it's called and other head coverings in hot sweaty sunshine.

Absolutely! It’s a lovely, glossy little snippet of hype. AcadaWriter

oni gele yi oooo skeskeleee !!! è jo ma skoskoloooo !!!

mannobi:
Our beautiful gèlè that that some people became envious of and want to turn it to a strange name.
Gèlè is gèlè For hundreds of years.
Gele o dun bi ka mo we, ka mo we ko dabi ko yeni.

flokii:
This event should strictly be for Yoruba people... the owners of the culture should be ones projecting Yoruba heritage to the world.

I agree with you.

The owners of Ichafu and Akwette fabrics should also project theirs in Enugu.


E ye ndi ebea, e ye ndi ebea. No case.

Good one.
I am scared for my state , edo state.
Some people from a particular region has started wearing the edo male wedding dress as their own, all they do is to wear their traditional cap on top our own red and white edo dress.

Edo govt should do something about it.

Everstrongherbs:
Good one.
I am scared for my state , edo state.
Some people from a particular region has started wearing the edo male wedding dress as their own, all they do is to wear their traditional cap on top our own red and white edo dress.

Edo govt should do something about it.

this wahala no go too much bai