By Ali Mamman Shuwa
Maiduguri
Maiduguri is entering a renewed cultural moment as preparations intensify for the 2026 Kanem Borno Cultural Summit, an event poised to reposition one of Africa’s oldest civilisations on the global cultural map. Across the city, vibrant billboards and banners now line major roads and public spaces, showcasing Kanuri symbols, values, and artistic motifs that reflect the enduring legacy of the ancient Kanem Borno Empire.
The visual transformation of the Borno State capital goes beyond aesthetics. It signals identity, confidence, and readiness to engage the world. Organisers expect about 2,000 participants from within Nigeria and abroad, making the summit one of the region’s most significant cultural gatherings in recent years.
Driving this momentum is the Media and Publicity Committee, chaired by Engineer Mohammed Kabir Wanori, whose coordinated outreach has amplified the vision of the summit across local and international platforms. Through sustained media engagement, public sensitisation, and strategic visual branding, the committee has positioned the Kanem Borno narrative with clarity, dignity, and historical depth.
The 2026 summit is designed as more than a cultural celebration. It represents a deliberate effort to preserve and transmit Kanuri heritage, including language, traditions, governance systems, arts, cuisine, and social values, to younger generations and the global community. At a time when globalisation continues to threaten indigenous cultures, the initiative serves as a platform for cultural preservation and renewal.
For Borno State, the summit also carries symbolic weight. After years of security challenges, Maiduguri is steadily reclaiming its place as a centre of learning, culture, and hospitality. The expected influx of visitors is projected to stimulate tourism, energise local commerce, and reinforce confidence in the city’s ongoing recovery and stability.
The programme will bring together scholars, traditional rulers, cultural practitioners, policymakers, and members of the Kanem Borno diaspora. Panel discussions, exhibitions, and cultural displays will explore the empire’s contributions to African and global civilisation, including trans Saharan trade networks, Islamic scholarship, indigenous governance models, and traditional conflict resolution mechanisms that continue to hold relevance today.
As cultural symbols brighten Maiduguri’s streets, the message is unmistakable. Kanem Borno is not merely a chapter in history; it is a living civilisation with a future. The 2026 Cultural Summit stands as a call for unity, cultural pride, and collective responsibility to safeguard heritage while inspiring generations yet to come.
With preparations gaining pace and public enthusiasm building, Maiduguri is preparing to welcome the world not only to a landmark event, but to a continuing story of resilience, identity, and cultural greatness rooted in the heart of the Kanem Borno Empire.
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