ABSTRACT
This study, Assessment of Nigerian National Carnival and its re-branding for greater appreciation. is an attempt to assess the kind of costume used during Abuja cultural carnival as well as determining their usefulness in Nigerian cultural values. The research was necessitated by the need to identify, assess, examine and provide suggestions on the type of costume to be used in Abuja Carnival. Objectives of the study include: to identify the costume used for Abuja carnival; assess the changes that have occurred since the beginning of Abuja carnival (2005); examine both management and control levels of the carnival; assess the Abuja National carnival towards the promotion of tourism attraction and Job creation in Nigeria; determine the impact of mordernisation on the costumes found during Abuja Carnival, and provide suggestions that will promote indigenous cultural costume towards socio- cultural sustainability. Literature and works were reviewed in line with the research topic and objectives. The descriptive research design was adopted, using structured questionnaire, interview schedules, observations and photographs. Data for the study were analysed and presented in frequencies and percentages. The findings of the study include: the type of costume used in Abuja carnival was in line with Nigerian indigenous style as at 2005, there is a shift from the use of Nigerian indigenous style of costume during carnival to the western style of carnival costume due to strong influence of modernization; lack of strong involvement of costume designers by state contingents during carnival has also affected the costumes used during carnival; it has been discovered that there is no comprehensive documentation for future references by the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Abuja. Pictures and videos of each yearly carnival were, not properly kept, and there is no proper orientation given to representatives of each state contingent before the carnival on cultural costume. Recommendations for the study include, among others: Costumes and make-up should be included in Nigerian Tertiary curriculum; there is a need for the Ministry of Culture and Tourism to initiate the formulation, co-ordination and implementation of the immediate role that the cultural and tourism sectors need to play towards the general diversification of Nigerian economy; with the present economic hardship, the ministry can involve Independent Non- Government Organisations, associations, private entrepreneurs to revive and promote cultural industries. This will be a jump start to the solution of the problem; costume designers and local craft-men should be strongly involved in planning of the carnival to make it successful, and there should be also comprehensive documentation of all the activities held at the end of the carnival.