The ancient city of Kano, long celebrated as the cultural soul of Northern Nigeria and the pride of the Sudan region, has once again reclaimed its place on Africa's cultural map following the successful conclusion of the maiden Kano Festival of Arts and Culture (KANFEST 2025).
The three-day celebration, held under the theme "Reawakening Our Cultural Pride for Economic Prosperity," brought the city alive with music, colour, dance, and displays of heritage that reaffirmed Kano's status as the cradle of Hausa civilization and a beacon of creativity.
Thousands of participants, including international delegates, artists and cultural enthusiasts, thronged the state capital to witness the historic event, one that many described as the "rebirth of Kano's soul."
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, whose administration organized the festival, said KANFEST had achieved its central purpose of reviving cultural consciousness and positioning Kano as a global hub of creative enterprise.
"KANFEST has proven that Kano remains a centre of culture, learning, and innovation. We have shown the world that our heritage is alive, vibrant, and capable of driving economic growth," the governor said at the closing ceremony.
He announced that the festival would now be institutionalized as an annual event, serving as a platform for cultural diplomacy, youth engagement, and tourism promotion.
Governor Yusuf emphasized that beyond the colour and performances, KANFEST served as a strategic avenue for cultural exchange and business networking, a meeting point for investors, entrepreneurs and creative talents.
"Beyond entertainment, this festival is an avenue for cultural exchange and business networking. Investors, artists, and entrepreneurs have come together to explore opportunities that will benefit our people," he said.
Delegations from Saudi Arabia, Morocco, Indonesia, and several African countries attended the event, alongside officials of the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, which hailed KANFEST as a "model for cultural tourism in Nigeria."
The Minister of Art and Culture, Hannatu Musawa, praised the Kano State Government for reviving cultural pride at a time when the creative economy is emerging as a key contributor to national development.
"KANFEST represents the spirit of Nigeria's cultural diversity and the potential of the North to lead in creative enterprise. The Federal Government is proud to associate with this milestone," Musawa said.
The highlight of the festival was the Durbar parade, led by the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, featuring hundreds of horsemen, royal guards, drummers, and traditional dancers in colourful regalia. The procession, held at the Kano Trade Fair complex, drew massive crowds and left visitors spellbound.
The Director-General of the Kano State History and Culture Bureau, Ahmad Yusuf, said over 300 youths participated in creative workshops on cultural entrepreneurship, digital heritage, and traditional crafts.
"Our goal was to make culture a tool for empowerment. The feedback we received shows that young people are ready to take Kano's creativity to global heights," Yusuf noted.
The festival also featured exhibitions of traditional crafts, films, textiles, and cuisines from across the 44 local government areas of the state, reinforcing the governor's drive to connect heritage with livelihood.
KANFEST 2025 was more than a festival, it was a showcase of the ongoing cultural renaissance under Governor Yusuf's administration. Since assuming office, the governor has launched a massive rehabilitation of historical sites, museums, and monuments that had been neglected for decades.
One of the landmark projects unveiled during the festival was the restoration of the "Palmer House", the colonial-era residence within the Kano Government House that once housed British administrators in the early 1900s. The century-old structure, which had fallen into decay, was fully restored and now serves as a heritage museum displaying archival documents, correspondence, and artefacts from Kano's colonial and pre-colonial past.
"The Palmer House now stands as a living testament to our layered history," Yusuf said. "It reminds us of the resilience and sophistication of our people long before the coming of colonialism."
Other cultural landmarks receiving government attention include the Gidan Dan Hausa, the first Western-style school in Northern Nigeria, which has been renovated; the Gidan Bi Minista Monument, now under reconstruction; and the Kofar Mata Dye Pits, one of the world's oldest surviving traditional dyeing centres, rejuvenated to attract tourists and preserve Kano's centuries-old leather and textile heritage.
The Majema Tannery, once a thriving hub of traditional leatherwork, is also being upgraded to modern standards to enhance local artisans' global competitiveness.
These interventions, Yusuf said, align with his administration's goal of "transforming heritage into opportunity" and ensuring that culture contributes meaningfully to the state's economy.
KANFEST also became a platform for unity, as the five emirates of Kano, Bichi, Rano, Gaya, and Karaye participated fully through their respective traditional councils, processions, and cultural delegations.
Deputy Governor Aminu Abdussalam Gwarzo, who chaired the organizing committee, said the turnout demonstrated the enduring spirit of togetherness among Kano's diverse communities.
"Despite our differences, we have proven that culture remains a unifying force that transcends politics, ethnicity, and religion," Gwarzo said.
Governor Yusuf extended gratitude to private partners and sponsors, including Dangote Group, BUA Group, A.A. Zaura Foundation, and the Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), for supporting the event.
"Our traditional rulers and corporate partners played a critical role in making this festival a success. Their collaboration shows that when culture is prioritized, the entire society benefits," he added.
Observers say KANFEST 2025 marks a major turning point for Kano's cultural revival and its recognition by global heritage bodies. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has reportedly listed Kano among the 81 recognized heritage sites worldwide, a development that further underscores the city's significance in African civilization.
Cultural commentator Mustapha Muhammad described the governor's cultural agenda as "a journey of restoration."
"For the first time in decades, Kano is being celebrated not for politics or conflict, but for art, heritage, and innovation. What Governor Yusuf has done is to give identity and confidence back to the people," he said.
Indeed, the restoration of ancient monuments and the success of KANFEST have elevated Kano's standing as Africa's cultural giant, attracting attention from scholars, investors, and tourists alike.
Beyond the parades and performances, KANFEST 2025 delivered a deeper message, that cultural preservation is inseparable from development. The state government's deliberate investment in heritage restoration, youth empowerment and creative industries reflects a broader strategy for economic diversification.
Governor Yusuf reaffirmed this vision at the closing ceremony, saying, "KANFEST 2025 has ended, but its message endures, that Kano's cultural pride is our pathway to unity and progress. We will continue to nurture this vision."
For residents and visitors alike, the three-day spectacle rekindled memories of Kano's glorious past while projecting confidence in its future, a city where tradition meets innovation, and where heritage remains the heartbeat of its people.