Key cultural figures and government officials have commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration for its growing emphasis on culture as a tool for national identity, unity, and international relations.

The commendations came during a press conference organised by the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) at the Brazilian Consulate in Lagos, part of preparations for the forthcoming World Orisha Congress (WOOCON) and Nigeria–Brazil cultural exchange.

His Imperial Majesty, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi Ojaja II, Ooni of Ife and Global Patron of WOOCON, praised the President for fostering a climate that supports cultural and traditional institutions.

“We are grateful that this administration is giving rightful recognition to our culture,” the Ooni said.

“Culture is the soul of a people. Without it, we have no identity. President Tinubu’s leadership is not only helping to reposition our cultural values on the global stage but bring us back to the very essence of our existence.”

Speaking earlier, the Brazilian Consul General in Lagos, His Excellency, Ambassador Manuel Inocencio de Lacerda Santos Junior, acknowledged the spiritual and historical connections between Nigeria and Brazil, particularly through shared Yoruba traditions. He noted the role of heritage in bridging people across continents.

Otunba Biodun Ajiboye, Executive Secretary of NICO and Secretary of WOOCON’s Board of Trustees, explained the broader vision of WOOCON, which aims to place African culture at the centre of global discourse.

“WOOCON is not just a congress—it’s a movement to reclaim and redefine African cultural consciousness and identity,” he said.
He outlined the potential of the initiative to strengthen Nigeria’s tourism sector, estimating that spiritual and cultural tourism could contribute over \$10 billion to the economy within three years if well implemented.

He noted that cultural exchanges with Brazil stem from deep-rooted historical links. “Thousands of Brazilians have, over the year,s visited Nigeria to participate in major cultural and religious festivals such as the Osun Osogbo Festival, the Olojo Festival, and Sango Festival,” he said.

Ajiboye added that interest in Yoruba heritage is expanding beyond Brazil to countries in the Caribbean, calling for structured cultural engagements to consolidate these ties.

In separate goodwill messages, Professor Wole Soyinka and Professor Wande Abimbola, both patrons of WOOCON, emphasised the importance of reviving African cultural systems. Soyinka described culture as essential to national identity and commended President Tinubu for supporting the initiative.

“This consciousness is long overdue,” he said, describing the engagement as a step toward strengthening tourism and international relevance.

Joining the event virtually from the United States, Professor Abimbola spoke on the global significance of the Orisha spiritual tradition and called for efforts to preserve it across borders.

The press conference signalled a renewed focus on Nigeria’s cultural diplomacy and the role of WOOCON in connecting Africa with its diaspora. Further programmes and collaborations are expected to follow, with Nigeria maintaining a central role in the unfolding cultural engagement.