The Carnival Calabar Commission is set to integrate digital tools into its annual festival through the introduction of online voting and live digital streaming services.
Gabe Onah, the Chairman of the Commission, disclosed these developments on Wednesday in Lagos. The announcement was made on the sidelines of the 22nd Akwaaba African Travel Market, a major gathering for stakeholders in the African travel and hospitality industry.
The decision to implement online voting aims to involve a wider audience in the festival’s various competitions. By allowing spectators to vote digitally, the commission intends to increase engagement from the Nigerian diaspora and international observers who may not be physically present in Cross River State.
The introduction of digital streaming will also allow the festival to be broadcast to a global audience in real-time. This move is expected to increase the visibility of the event, which is widely recognised as one of the largest street parades in Africa.
Expanding festival reach through technology
The shift toward a hybrid model of engagement is designed to boost the promotional impact of the carnival. Historically, the event’s reach has been largely limited to those attending in person in Calabar. However, the commission’s new digital strategy seeks to bridge the gap between the local festivities and a global audience.
The adoption of these technologies comes as the Nigerian tourism sector looks for ways to leverage digital platforms to drive international interest and sponsorship. Digital streaming provides a platform for brands and sponsors to reach a wider demographic, potentially increasing the commercial value of the festival.
The announcement was made during the 22nd Akwaaba African Travel Market in Lagos, where industry leaders discussed the future of travel and tourism in the region.
While the specific platforms for voting and streaming have not yet been detailed, the commission’s move signals a transition toward a more technologically driven approach to managing large-scale cultural events. The implementation of these digital initiatives will be expected to coincide with the upcoming festival cycle.
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