National Disgrace/Kano Durbar Axed, UK-Based Nigerian Blasts Loss of Guinness Record Dream

National Disgrace”: Kano Durbar Axed, UK-Based Nigerian Blasts Loss of Guinness Record Dream

Kano State is facing global backlash following the abrupt cancellation of its iconic Sallah Durbar, a move that has left international guests, including a United Kingdom-based Nigerian, Lekan Okanlawon, furious and disillusioned.

Okanlawon, who flew into Nigeria with over 160 cultural tourists and polo enthusiasts from around the world — some of whom imported horses from the UK — described the decision as “heartbreaking” and a devastating blow to a meticulously planned Guinness World Record attempt for the largest gathering of horse riders.

“Our objective was clear: to put Kano on the global map,” Okanlawon told journalists. “The Durbar draws more than 5,000 horses — an unmatched cultural display. We were banking on this to break records and elevate Kano to international tourism status. To be told it was cancelled upon arrival was a national embarrassment.”

Adding to the disappointment, American tourist Virgil Taylor, who had planned his visit for over a year, condemned the development. “As a Black man from the U.S., witnessing the Durbar was deeply personal. It was on my bucket list. This was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Instead, we got nothing but heartbreak.”

The Durbar, recognized by UNESCO as a cultural heritage event, had been highly anticipated, with foreign visitors eager to witness the grandeur and spectacle of Kano’s equestrian procession. Okanlawon stressed that poor planning and lack of coordination had squandered a golden opportunity to transform the festival into a global tourism attraction.

In response to the criticism, Executive Secretary of the Kano State History and Culture Bureau, Ahmad Yusuf, admitted the cancellation had caused both emotional and economic damage. He promised that future editions would be better coordinated, while urging stakeholders to work together to avoid further humiliation on the global stage.

With reputational damage done and significant financial losses incurred by disappointed tourists, many are now questioning Kano’s preparedness to position itself as a serious player in the international cultural tourism arena.

Kano State is facing global backlash following the abrupt cancellation of its iconic Sallah Durbar, a move that has left international guests, including a United Kingdom-based Nigerian, Lekan Okanlawon, furious and disillusioned.

Okanlawon, who flew into Nigeria with over 160 cultural tourists and polo enthusiasts from around the world — some of whom imported horses from the UK — described the decision as “heartbreaking” and a devastating blow to a meticulously planned Guinness World Record attempt for the largest gathering of horse riders.

“Our objective was clear: to put Kano on the global map,” Okanlawon told journalists. “The Durbar draws more than 5,000 horses — an unmatched cultural display. We were banking on this to break records and elevate Kano to international tourism status. To be told it was cancelled upon arrival was a national embarrassment.”

Adding to the disappointment, American tourist Virgil Taylor, who had planned his visit for over a year, condemned the development. “As a Black man from the U.S., witnessing the Durbar was deeply personal. It was on my bucket list. This was supposed to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Instead, we got nothing but heartbreak.”

The Durbar, recognized by UNESCO as a cultural heritage event, had been highly anticipated, with foreign visitors eager to witness the grandeur and spectacle of Kano’s equestrian procession. Okanlawon stressed that poor planning and lack of coordination had squandered a golden opportunity to transform the festival into a global tourism attraction.

In response to the criticism, Executive Secretary of the Kano State History and Culture Bureau, Ahmad Yusuf, admitted the cancellation had caused both emotional and economic damage. He promised that future editions would be better coordinated, while urging stakeholders to work together to avoid further humiliation on the global stage.

With reputational damage done and significant financial losses incurred by disappointed tourists, many are now questioning Kano’s preparedness to position itself as a serious player in the international cultural tourism arena.