RismadarVoice Reporters
September 16, 2026
The Cross River State Government has unveiled online voting and digital streaming for Carnival Calabar as part of efforts to expand public participation and strengthen the festival’s digital reach.
Chairman of the Carnival Calabar Commission, Gabe Onah, announced the initiative on Wednesday on the sidelines of the 22nd Akwaaba African Travel Market in Lagos.
Under the new arrangement, members of the public will be able to participate in selecting their preferred carnival bands through an online voting system, introducing a new audience-driven component to the annual competition.
The commission also plans to encourage Nigerians and other Africans to register as members and supporters of individual carnival bands, creating communities around the competing groups similar to supporter structures associated with major football clubs.
PUBLIC TO HAVE GREATER ROLE IN COMPETITION
Onah said the introduction of online voting would complement the existing professional adjudication process rather than rely solely on assessments by judges.
The initiative is expected to allow spectators to directly support their preferred bands while increasing engagement among people who cannot physically attend the carnival.
Digital streaming will similarly allow audiences outside Cross River State and Nigeria to follow carnival activities remotely.
Onah said the commission was seeking to deliberately expand digital participation around the festival.
The commission also plans to introduce gamification into aspects of Carnival Calabar and related competitions, potentially creating more interactive experiences for participants and spectators.
CARNIVAL TARGETS NEW REVENUE OPPORTUNITIES
Beyond audience participation, the digital strategy is expected to contribute to revenue generation surrounding the festival.
Onah said Carnival Calabar needed to develop additional funding channels and reduce excessive dependence on government financing.
He advocated increased private-sector participation as well as alternative financing mechanisms, including crowdfunding.
According to the commission chairman, stronger participation by businesses, individuals and other stakeholders could help improve the long-term financial sustainability of the carnival and the wider tourism sector.
He also called for greater cooperation among tourism industry stakeholders, arguing that collaboration would help strengthen Nigeria’s tourism offering.
INTERNATIONAL HEADLINE ARTIST TO BE ANNOUNCED
The Carnival Calabar Commission is also preparing to unveil an international headline artist for the festival.
Onah said arrangements for the announcement were already underway, although the identity of the performer was not disclosed.
The commission is also pursuing opportunities to expand Carnival Calabar’s international presence following engagements with tourism stakeholders and organisations outside Nigeria.
The annual carnival has developed into one of Cross River State’s major tourism attractions, bringing together elaborate costumes, music, dance, cultural performances and competing carnival bands.
The introduction of digital streaming, online voting and expanded membership of carnival bands represents the latest effort to broaden the festival’s audience beyond spectators physically present in Calabar.
COMMISSION REMEMBERS TOURISM BUREAU CHIEF
Onah also paid tribute to Ojoi Ekpenyong, Managing Director of the Cross River State Tourism Bureau, who died on June 24.
He acknowledged Ekpenyong’s contributions to the development of Carnival Calabar and the state’s tourism sector, including efforts to strengthen the cultural component of the festival.
The commission said the evolving digital strategy forms part of broader efforts to increase participation, attract investment and strengthen Carnival Calabar’s position as an internationally recognised African cultural and tourism event.
