Telecommunications company Globacom has renewed its sponsorship of the 2025 Ofala Festival, which will take place on October 17 and 18 in Onitsha, Anambra State. The announcement was made at a press conference held at Ime Obi, the palace of His Royal Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, the Obi of Onitsha.
The Ofala Festival, one of the largest traditional celebrations in southeastern Nigeria, will open with the Iru Ofala on October 17 and conclude with the Azu Ofala on October 18. This year’s program has been expanded to include a lecture series on October 7, the Oreze Art Exhibition featuring works from Nigerian and African artists, a Youth Carnival on October 15, community medical outreach, and a royal banquet in honour of Igwe Achebe on October 22.
Globacom has been a partner of the festival since 2011. The renewed sponsorship extends through 2025 under a three-year agreement with the palace. The company said its support reflects a commitment to boosting the international profile of the festival while contributing to Nigeria’s growing cultural tourism industry.
Tourism is a rising contributor to the economy. Data from the World Travel and Tourism Council projects the sector to contribute 11.2 trillion naira to the gross domestic product in 2025, up from 10.9 trillion in 2024. Domestic tourism spending is forecast at 6.1 trillion naira, with international visitor spending expected to reach 803.2 billion naira.
Globacom is also rolling out special offerings for subscribers during the festival, including enhanced network infrastructure and 4G LTE upgrades in the southeast. The company recently launched two products: the Talkmasta plan, which provides extra talk time and data, and a Welcome Bonus program for new customers.
At the press conference, Strategic Marketing and Communications Committee Chairman Nnaemeka Maduegbuna assured that robust security and logistics are in place to welcome visitors from across Nigeria and the diaspora. Senior palace officials, members of the Royal Cabinet, and Globacom representatives were also present.
The Ofala Festival celebrates the annual emergence of the Igwe from seclusion and serves as an important platform for cultural preservation and community bonding. It attracts thousands of visitors each year, driving economic activity in hospitality, transport, and trade.
Globacom’s continued involvement highlights private sector recognition of cultural tourism as a key driver of growth. The company has consistently supported major Nigerian festivals as part of its corporate social responsibility efforts while strengthening ties with local communities.
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