Nigeria is home to 36 states and over 370 distinct ethnic groups, including major ones like the Hausa, Yoruba, and Igbo.

The country’s cultural diversity is reflected in its vibrant array of festivals across the 36 states. These festivals are rooted in traditions, beliefs, and communal values passed down through generations. Here’s a look at some of Nigeria’s iconic cultural festivals, grouped by state:

ALSO READ: Top 10 poorest states in Nigeria

Abia State – New Yam Festival

In Abia, the New Yam Festival is a significant event among the Igbo people, symbolizing the end of the yam harvest season. Known as Iri ji ohu, the festival is a time for thanksgiving to the gods for a bountiful harvest. Traditional leaders perform rituals, and families offer prayers and food. Cultural dances, music, and masquerades mark the occasion.

Anambra State – Afiaolu (New Yam Festival)

This festival is celebrated mainly in Nnewi. The Afiaolu festival begins with rituals such as IWAJI (yam tasting) and Ikpa Nku (wood gathering). The Igwe (king) performs thanksgiving rites, while masquerade dances, women’s cultural dances, and feasting bring the community together in joy and thanksgiving.

Bauchi State – Durbar Festival

During Eid celebrations, Bauchi hosts a grand Durbar, where colourfully dressed horsemen parade before emirs and community leaders. This spectacle of horsemanship, music, and martial displays reflects northern Nigeria’s Islamic heritage and warrior traditions.

Borno State – Global Kanuri Cultural Festival

This festival unites Kanuri people from across West Africa in Maiduguri. It’s a celebration of shared heritage, featuring traditional attire, language, culinary arts, and performances, preserving a culture that spans multiple countries.

Cross River State – Calabar Carnival

This festival is tagged “Africa’s Biggest Street Party.” The Calabar Carnival is a month-long extravaganza held every December. With parades, colourful costumes, band competitions, and global participants, it fuses modern carnival flair with local traditions in an electrifying atmosphere.

Enugu State – Mmanwu & Iriji-Mmanwu Festivals

The Mmanwu festival showcases traditional masquerades believed to embody ancestral spirits. The Iriji-Mmanwu, held in August, merges new yam festivities with over 2,000 masquerade performances, acrobatics, and vibrant dances, celebrating Igbo spirituality and art.

---

Join Our WhatsApp Group

Don’t miss out on any real-time information. Join our WhatsApp group to stay updated.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN

---

Imo State – Ikeji Arondizuogu Festival

A celebration of Arondizuogu pride, the Ikeji Festival features masquerades, music, and poetry. The event draws tourists and locals, fostering cultural appreciation and unity among the Igbo subgroups.

Jigawa State – Gani Durbar Festival

During this festival which is held annually, the Gani Durbar displays royal regalia, cavalry parades, and music to celebrate historical events and the end of Ramadan. It reinforces traditional authority and cultural pride.

Kano State – Durbar Festival

Kano’s Durbar is among the most extravagant in Nigeria. Featuring hundreds of decorated horsemen, drummers, and dancers, it marks Islamic festivals and royal milestones, attracting tourists from around the world.

ALSO READ: 10 most powerful Kings in Nigeria and their titles

Kogi State – Ovie Orese & Ovia-Osese Festivals

The Ovie Orese celebrates male initiation into adulthood among certain Kogi communities. The Ovia-Osese Festival, celebrated in Ogori, is a rite of passage for virgin girls, recognizing their purity and readiness for womanhood with music, dance, and blessings.

Kwara State – Ilorin Durbar Festival

This multi-day Islamic cultural festival includes royal horse processions, Quranic recitations, and homage to the Emir of Ilorin. It is a blend of religion, culture, and royal grandeur.

Lagos State – Eyo Festival

A historic Yoruba festival held on Lagos Island, Eyo features costumed masqueraders in white, carrying staffs and dancing through the streets. It’s a celebration of Lagos’ ancestors and traditional institutions.

Niger State – Nupe Day Festival

Observed on June 26, Nupe Day commemorates the Nupe people’s 1896 victory over the British. Cultural exhibitions, horse parades, and prayers highlight this proud history and identity.

Ogun State – Ake Festival & Ojude Oba Festival

The Ake Festival celebrates Yoruba literary and artistic excellence in Abeokuta. The Ojude Oba Festival in Ijebu Ode showcases Islamic fashion, horse riding, and tributes to the Awujale, blending culture and religion magnificently.

ALSO READ: Meet one of the longest serving kings in Nigeria who has ruled for over 6 decades

Kebbi State – Argungu Fishing Festival

An iconic four-day event, Argungu draws thousands to compete in fishing using traditional methods. The event includes canoe races, wrestling, and cultural showcases, celebrating peace and productivity since 1934.

Scammers have gotten smarter, and they now have something powerful on their side: artificial intelligence.

AI isn’t just helping us write emails faster or get movie recommendations. It’s being weaponised by bad individuals who are using it to scam people in ways that are shockingly convincing.

These scams are subtle, personalised, and incredibly sneaky. If you think you’re too smart to be fooled, think again, because AI scams aren’t just targeting the clueless anymore. They’re coming for everyone.

Here are 10 subtle yet dangerous ways scammers are using AI to trick people, often without them even realising it.

1. Deepfake voices and videos

AI can now clone voices with just a few seconds of audio. Scammers use this to impersonate loved ones, executives, or customer support agents.

Some victims have received phone calls from someone who sounded exactly like their spouse or child asking for urgent help, only to discover it was a deepfake scam.

2. AI-generated phishing emails

Gone are the days of broken English and obvious typos. With tools like ChatGPT and other AI writing models, scammers can craft perfect, highly personalised phishing emails that mimic the tone and formatting of legitimate companies or contacts.

RELATED: Here’s what to do after falling victim to a scam

3. Chatbot impersonation

Scammers now use AI-powered chatbots on fake websites to mimic real customer service agents. These bots can engage in convincing conversations, directing victims to enter login details or payment information under the guise of technical support.

---

Join Our WhatsApp Group

Don’t miss out on any real-time information. Join our WhatsApp group to stay updated.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN

---

4. Fake job offers

Scammers use AI to scrape your LinkedIn profile and resume, then generate a fake job offer tailored to your exact career path. You’ll get a professional-sounding email, a polished contract, and maybe even a “video interview” with a deepfaked hiring manager. All designed to steal your personal info or banking details.

5. Voice Assistant manipulation

Some scams are designed to trigger your Alexa or Google Assistant using AI-generated commands hidden in background audio or video. These hidden voice commands can potentially place orders, change security settings, or send data to the scammer.

6. Personalised social media scams

AI tools can scan your social media and tailor scams that speak directly to you. Just posted a photo of your new puppy? You might get an ad for free pet food, just pay shipping. Except there’s no pet food, and now the scammer has your card info.

7. Impersonation on video calls

With real-time deepfake technology, scammers can now appear as someone else on Zoom or Teams calls. This is particularly dangerous in business settings, where fake executives may approve transfers or data sharing. It’s a digital mask, and it’s terrifyingly good.

READ MORE: How to spot a Ponzi scheme before it steals your life savings

8. Review bombing and fake testimonials

AI can write hundreds of convincing fake reviews, making fraudulent products or services seem trustworthy. Scammers use these to lure victims into investing in fake startups, purchasing counterfeit goods, or signing up for subscription traps.

9. Synthetic identities

Using AI, scammers create entirely new fake identities complete with photos, resumes, and online activity. These are used to open bank accounts, apply for loans, or commit other forms of identity fraud that are hard to trace.

10. Romance and friendship scams

This one’s brutal. AI chatbots can hold entire conversations that feel deep and emotionally engaging. Scammers use them on dating sites and social platforms to build fake relationships, then ask for money, gift cards, or even help laundering cash. Victims lose money and still get emotionally crushed.

RECOMMENDED: How to outsmart scammers and keep your money safe

How to protect yourself

• Verify independently: Don’t trust voice or video alone, follow up with a separate, known contact method.

• Be sceptical of urgency: Scammers often create false emergencies to push you into hasty decisions.

• Use multi-factor authentication (MFA): Even if a scammer has your password, MFA can stop them.

• Limit public information: The less you share online, the less ammo scammers have for social engineering.

• Educate yourself and others: Awareness is the first line of defence.

Trust less, question more

Scammers are no longer lazy or careless, they’re running complex operations powered by cutting-edge AI. That doesn’t mean you have to live in fear, but it does mean you need to stay sceptical.

Always double-check. Don’t trust things just because they “seem real.” In a world where reality can be faked in seconds, your best defence is a healthy dose of doubt and a few extra steps before clicking, downloading, or answering that call.

ALSO READ: 10 most notorious scammers in human history

As a parent, connecting with your child at the end of each school day should be more than just a casual conversation. It should be a valuable opportunity to strengthen your bond, understand their emotional world, and support their growth.

Rather than settling for the typical “How was school?” which often gets a one-word answer, asking intentional questions can open up meaningful dialogue. Here are 9 important questions to ask your child after school, and why they matter:

ALSO READ: Prepare Your Child for the Future: 10 life skills they must learn before 13

1. What was the best part of your day?

Starting with a positive question encourages your child to reflect on what went well. It teaches them to focus on gratitude and optimism. You also get insight into what they enjoy most, whether it’s a subject, a friend, or an activity. This question fosters a positive mindset, emotional awareness, and helps parents celebrate their child’s small wins.

2. Was there anything that made you feel upset, confused, or sad?

Children won’t always volunteer negative feelings unless they feel safe doing so. This question gives them permission to share difficult emotions without judgment. It’s a powerful way to show that all feelings are valid and worth discussing. This question builds emotional intelligence, strengthens trust, and allows parents to offer comfort or guidance.

3. Did anything happen today that made you feel proud?

This question encourages children to recognize their own efforts and accomplishments. It shifts the focus from external rewards to internal validation and helps build confidence in their abilities. It would boost their self-esteem and promotes self-awareness.

ALSO READ: 54 biblical names for your child (with meanings and bible verses)

4. Who did you spend time with today?

Understanding your child’s social circle gives you a window into their friendships and peer dynamics. It also opens up conversations about values, inclusion, and how they’re navigating social interactions. This question will help you identify positive (or negative) influences in your child’s life.

5. Was there anything that happened today that made you laugh?

Asking about funny moments helps children relive joy and reinforces happy memories. It also gives you a glimpse into their sense of humor and what brings them happiness. This question would lighten the mood and foster a deeper emotional bond.

---

Join Our WhatsApp Group

Don’t miss out on any real-time information. Join our WhatsApp group to stay updated.

CLICK HERE TO JOIN

---

6. Did you help anyone today or did someone help you?

This question instills empathy, gratitude, and awareness of others. It highlights the importance of kindness, cooperation, and being part of a supportive community. It reinforces values like generosity and teamwork, and helps children reflect on the give-and-take of relationships.

7. What’s something new you learned today?

This question brings attention to your child’s intellectual development and shows that you’re interested in their academic experiences. This promotes curiosity, academic confidence, and engagement with learning.

8. What was the most challenging part of your day?

Discussing challenges helps normalize struggle and shows your child that difficulty is part of growth. It also creates space to talk about how they approached the problem or how they might do so next time. This builds resilience, encourages critical thinking, and provides an opportunity for parental guidance.

9. If you could change one thing about today, what would it be?

This reflective question helps children evaluate their experiences and think about what they’d do differently. It teaches accountability, self-awareness, and the power of choice. This develops critical thinking and problem-solving skills while empowering children to learn from their experiences.

These daily conversations let your child know they’re seen, heard, and loved. Over time, they’ll open up more easily, trust more deeply, and feel more confident navigating life with you by their side.

ALSO READ: 7 Effective ways to wean your child off phones and iPads