By Peter Dansu Badagry is set to take center stage on the global cultural map as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nobel laureate, Professor...
By Peter Dansu
Badagry is set to take center stage on the global cultural map as President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, have both endorsed the historic Door of Return Festival, scheduled to hold on October 18, 2025.
The revelation was made by the Chairman of the House Committee on Tourism, Arts and Culture in the Lagos State House of Assembly, Hon. Bonu Solomon Saanu, who represents Badagry Constituency I. In a statement shared via his official Facebook page, Bonu explained that the festival, which has steadily grown into an international brand, had received strong backing from some of Nigeria’s most influential figures.
According to him, the endorsement came during a recent visit to Brazil, where the festival was promoted as a symbol of cultural rebirth and reconnection for people of African descent. Also lending support to the forthcoming event are Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), both of whom have pledged to play key roles in ensuring its success.
Bonu disclosed that he had recently hosted the chairmen of the three local councils in Badagry Division—Babatunde Hunpe of Badagry Central, Rikay Yemaren of Badagry West LCDA, and Hon. Ajose Peter Kumayon of Olorunda LCDA—alongside legislative leaders, to deliberate on strategies for the festival and wider development opportunities for the region.
He noted that the festival’s endorsement by Tinubu and Soyinka marked a watershed moment for Badagry, stressing that the event has the potential to trigger new waves of infrastructural development, from better roads to improved hospitality facilities, thereby creating an enabling environment for tourism and investment.
“The Door of Return is more than just a cultural event. It is an opportunity to showcase Badagry’s historical significance as a key departure point during the transatlantic slave trade while also celebrating our resilience and heritage,” Bonu remarked. He further emphasized that the international attention expected in October could redefine Badagry’s place as a leading cultural and tourism hub in Africa.
Governor Sanwo-Olu is billed to serve as the chief host, and dignitaries from across the world are expected to grace the occasion. With the festival already gaining traction among global stakeholders, the Lagos lawmaker expressed confidence that it would deliver lasting benefits to the people of Badagry, provided that planning is well-coordinated, the community is fully engaged, and investments are directed toward long-term sustainability.
Observers believe the 2025 edition of the festival may well mark a turning point for the coastal town, not only reinforcing its status as a custodian of African heritage but also opening doors to economic prosperity for its people.
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