The Executive Chairman of Ibarapa Central Local Government, Hon. Olusola Adeleke Ayodele has described the Federal Government’s participation in the 2026 Igboora World Twins Festival as a significant step towards promoting Igboora’s cultural heritage and tourism potential.
Speaking with journalists in Ibadan today, Adeleke highlighted the presence of Dr. Olayiwola Awakan, Director-General of the Nigeria Tourism Development Authority, who represented the Federal Government at the festival. He said the development provides an opportunity to strengthen national and international recognition of Igboora.
The Chairman noted that the festival has made considerable progress over the past two years and disclosed plans to engage UNESCO, relevant government ministries and tourism organisations to explore opportunities for wider recognition and institutional support.
“We are not where we were two years ago. The presence of the Federal Government through the Nigeria Tourism Development Authority is an encouraging development. Our next step is to engage UNESCO and other tourism organisations in both the public and private sectors. With consistency and the right partnerships, we are confident that we will make further progress,” Adeleke said.
Looking ahead to the 2027 edition, he disclosed that his administration was pursuing Federal Government sponsorship through the national budget to establish a more sustainable funding arrangement for the festival.
He also revealed plans to pursue a proposed World Twins National Park as a landmark heritage and tourism project that would celebrate Igboora’s identity as the World Capital of Twins while creating opportunities for research, investment and local enterprise.
Adeleke acknowledged that achieving these objectives would require cooperation among the Federal and State Governments, traditional institutions, tourism organisations, private investors and other development partners. He also appreciated the sons and daughters of Ibarapa Central, at home and in the diaspora, for their contributions to preserving and promoting their cultural heritage.
He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to building on the festival’s growing recognition and positioning Igboora as a destination for cultural tourism, with lasting benefits for Ibarapa Central, Oyo State and Nigeria.
