The annual Ilorin Emirate Grand Durbar has been named as the “Best Cultural Festival in Nigeria” for the year 2025 as the Chairman of the Ilorin Emirate Durbar Committee welcomes the recognition.
This was the highlight of the 21st Akwaaba Africa Travel Market held at Eko Hotel in Lagos on Sunday, September 14, 2025.
The honour was a proud moment for Ilorin’s rich cultural heritage as it highlighted the festival’s cultural vibrancy, its majestic displays, and its enduring role as a showcase of the community’s rich traditions and heritage. The recognition also affirms the Durbar’s growing influence on Nigeria’s cultural tourism landscape.
The achievement, according to organisers, is a source of pride not only for Ilorin but for Nigeria as a whole, as the Durbar continues to inspire admiration both locally and internationally. With this milestone, anticipation is already building for an even more colorful and memorable Ilorin Durbar in the coming years
At the event to receive the recognition on behalf of the Emir of Ilorin and Custodian of Ilorin Emirate Durbar, Alhaji(Dr) Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, CFR, were the Ciroma of Ilorin, Prince Abubakar Bature Sulu-Gambari,SAN; the Chairman of Ilorin Emirate Durbar Committee and Danmasani of Ilorin, Engr. Suleiman Yahaya, FNSE; and Hajia Faridah Sagaya, the Chief Executive Officer of Angel Style World Travels and Tours Limited.
Speaking with newsmen on the sideline of the event, Engr Alapasanpa said that he was extremely delighted with the national recognition.
Engr Alapansanpa, who is also a former Chairman of the Board of the Nigerian Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA), who thanked the Emir and the Governor of Kwara State, Mallam AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, CON, as well as several other individuals and organisations for their consistent prayers and support over the years, said that the recognition would encourage his committee to work harder towards recording more remarkable improvement in the staging of the annual festival.
The Chairman appealed to the people and friends of Ilorin Emirate across the world to continue to support the Committee to ensure better performance that every stakeholder would be proud of.
