Tiv Day Celebration: A Bonding Beyond The Swange, Food and Attire
Bridget Tikyaa
The Tiv people are one of Nigeria’s largest ethnic groups. They are mainly located in Benue State, with a noticeable presence in Taraba and Nasarawa states. With an estimated population of over 6.5 million, the Tiv people have very strong presence in Tarkaa, Makurdi, Gwer East, Gwer West, Ukum, Logo, Konshisha, Gboko, Kwande, Vandeikya, Katsina Ala, Guma, Buruku, and Ushongo Local Government Areas of Benue State. So also in
Bali, Donga, Ibi, Gassol, Takum, Gashaka, Kurmi, and Wukari Local Government Areas of Taraba State, and in Doma, Lafia, Obi, Keana, and Awe Local Government Areas, Nasarawa State. There are also about 20,000 of them in Manyu Division in the Republic of Cameroon.
So, when on December 13, 2025, the Tiv nation decided to converge on Gboko to role out the drums in celebration of their culture and tradition, it was to highlight the identity of a people who have been making solid contributions to the growth and development of not just their communities and states, but Nigeria and the global community as a whole. Invariably, the 2025 Tiv Day celebration, which actually began in 1977, was a decisive attempt to revive the Tiv nation, engineer unity and cohesion, and bring out the best of its sons and daughters, tradition and customs.
The Tiv Day is a vibrant celebration typically marked with traditional dances, music, and performances, family and friends get-together to strengthen bonds and share experiences while savouring traditional
cuisine. It is also a time for the display of traditional attire, artefacts, and crafts.
There are also speeches and reflections from leaders who share insights on Tiv history, culture, and contributions. This was what the paramount leader of the Tiv people did. The Tor Tiv, His Royal Majesty, Professor James Ortese Ayatse, highlighted the significance of the celebration in his speech at the opening of the grand ceremony, which apart from the cultural displays, is meant to ensure cultural reforms, empowering women, eliminating practices that hinder progress, promoting development of the Tiv language, and supporting youth education through initiatives such as the Tiv Scholarship Trust Fund, “Ayatutu Ka Se” Foundation, and “Kasev Tiv Bam”.
For all Tiv sons and daughters, it was an opportunity to shine, waltz, and merry. Embrace unity, heal political and social divisions, and work collectively for the future of the Tiv nation.
The event didn’t stop at the dance steps, traditions and cultural displays, it was also an opportunity to publicly honour outstanding Tiv sons, daughters and friends within and outside Nigeria, who have set examples worthy of emulation. These were people recognised by the Tiv Area Traditional Council and conferred with chieftaincy titles. Distinguished Tiv sons, daughters, and friends in recognition of their contributions to the Tiv Nation and Nigeria.
Among those honoured were Governor Hyacinth Alia (Asôrtar-u-Tiv), APC National Chairman, Engr. Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwada (Zegebar-u-Tiv), and former Benue State Governor, Senator Dr. Gabriel Torwua Suswam (Vande-u-Tiv). Other are Engr. Slyvanus Ghasarah (Orwasen Tar-u-Tiv); Mr. Terry Atiba (Anôngo Tar-u-Tiv); Prince Michael Kaase Aondoakaa (Ivangeyange-u-Tiv); Prof. Sebastine Hon (Semawan-u-Tiv); Air Commodore Titus Terhemba Agbacha (Rtd.) (Garyō-u-Tiv); Hon. B.T. Ashaver (Yarasuwa-u-Tiv); Prince Solomon Wombo (Imenger-i-Tiv); Rt. Hon. Barr. Emmanuel Jime (Shagbawan-u-Tiv); Prof. Okurga Malu (Akinde-u-Tiv); Prof. Eugene Aliegba (Ibughashe-i-Tiv); Dr. Steven Hwande (Jime Nor-u-Tiv); Hon. Mrs. Dorathy Mato (Pendatyo-u-Tiv); Barr. Samuel Paul Edeh (Wandor-u-Dedoo-u-Tiv); Mr. Isaac Akinkunmi (Vanya-u-Dedoo-u-Tiv); and Chief David Sabi Kente (Zege Igba-u-Tiv). Eight others are to be conferred with their titles at a later date.
As expected, the event attracted a huge presence of people, tourists, and leaders, including Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Dr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia, and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, who wore two caps at the event – representative of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and as a distinguished son of the soil.
President Tinubu minced no words in hailing the Tiv language and its people, saying the Tiv nation has an enduring cultural heritage and is making invaluable contributions to Nigeria’s unity and progress. He went into history, saying that the Tiv Cultural Day Celebration, which began in 1977, has remained a vital platform for promoting unity and preserving cultural identity among the Tiv people, a development which the president said is worthy of emulation by other ethnic groups in the country.
The Presidential eulogy acknowledged the sacrifices made by the Tiv nation to the preservation of Nigeria’s corporate unity and the promotion of national development, as can be seen in the quality of persons serving meritoriously in key positions in the Tinubu administration.
Highlighting the priorities of the Renewed Hope Agenda being assiduously pursued, said through SGF Akume that the government has demonstrated commitment to strengthening fundamental freedoms, civil liberties and good governance as evidenced in improvements in the quality of education, digitalisation of the economy, public service welfare, and the ease of doing business, which is attracting direct foreign investment in quantum leaps.
The Presidential Envoy to the occasion also pointed to the construction of new dams and major bridges across the country, including the one at River Buruku, the intensification of the war against insurgents and terrorists to achieve enhanced national security, as well as the establishment of the North Central Development Commission, which was noted as of strategic benefit to the Tiv nation and that peoples of North-Central Nigeria.
“May I commend specially once more the contribution of the Tiv people during the Nigerian Civil War to preserve the unity and territorial integrity of this country, even as I extend my continual goodwill and prayers for long life and prosperity to His Royal Majesty, the Tor Tiv, the Tiv Area Traditional Council, and the entire Tiv nation”, President Tinubu said.
For Governor Alia, the Tiv Day celebration is a new chapter in the history of the Tiv people, highlighting their numerical strength and spread across several states of Nigeria, and remaining one of Nigeria’s most identifiable ethnic group. For him and all Tiv sons and daughters, that should be a source of pride, not just because of who they are but also for their uniqueness. He admonished all to remain peaceful and united and work collectively for the progress of the Tiv Nation. The governor, who was conferred with the traditional title of Asortar U Tiv, said everyone should commit to providing responsible services for the overall development of Benue State.
One key event at the ceremony was the launch of the Tiv–English Dictionary, a great milestone in the preservation and revival of Tiv language and culture.
Former Governor of Benue State, Senator Gabriel Suswam, who was among those honoured, urged Tiv sons and daughters to rise above political differences and support the government in power to advance development across Tiv land and Benue State.
The President General of Mzough-u-Tiv Worldwide, CP Iorbee Ihagh (Rtd.), described the 2025 Tiv Day celebration as a call for deeper reflection and action to promote unity and peace, which are the foundations for development. He also had a message to the federal government to intensify efforts to end insecurity and enable displaced Tiv people to return to their ancestral homes and farms.
In his response on behalf of the honourees, the National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, Engr. Prof. Nentawe Goshwe Yilwada expressed gratitude to the Tiv Nation for the honour and appealed for unity and reconciliation, stressing that peace within is necessary to confront external challenges.
Bridget Tikyaa is the Principal Special Assistant to Benue State Governor on Media Publicity and Communications Strategy
