The Iwopin Kingdom has entered into a landmark partnership with Digital Transformation Media Limited for the digitalisation and global promotion of the renowned Okosi Festival, in a move aimed at preserving and projecting the cultural heritage of the riverine community to international audiences.
The agreement was signed on the sidelines of the Okosi Iwopin Ajidagan 2026 Festival, with stakeholders describing it as a major step towards transforming the annual boat regatta into a globally recognised cultural tourism event.
Speaking on the development, the Liken of Iwopin Kingdom, Sunday Adeniyi Agbojo, described the partnership as the beginning of a new era for the kingdom’s cultural heritage. He said the Okosi Festival represented the identity, resilience and maritime history of the Iwopin people, stressing that the collaboration would ensure the festival gains wider visibility across Nigeria, Africa and the global community without losing its authenticity and traditional values.
Also speaking, entertainment icon and DTML Advisory Board member, Edi Lawani, said the initiative would position the Okosi Festival among globally recognised cultural events capable of attracting tourism, investment and international attention. He noted that the combination of authentic cultural expressions and modern digital storytelling would make the festival accessible to a wider audience through immersive media experiences and strategic promotion.
Founder and Chairman of DTML, Shina Badaru, said the partnership aligned with the company’s Nigeria Heritage Initiative aimed at leveraging technology to preserve and promote cultural assets. According to him, the project would include the deployment of digital platforms, multimedia content, live streaming technology and digital archives to position the Okosi Festival on the global tourism map while also creating economic opportunities and digital empowerment programmes for youths within the community.