The 25th Edition of the annual National Festival of Arts and Culture(NAFEST) has been scheduled to hold between 22nd - 29th October, 2011 in Calabar, Cross Rivers State. This was arrived at following the visit of The Honouable Minister of Tourism, Culture and National Orientation, High Chief Edem Duke and The ED/CEO of NCAC, Mr. M. M. Maidugu to the Governor of Cross Rivers State who magnanimously agreed to host the Festival

The theme of the Festival is: Nigerian Traditional Music: A Vehicle for Economic Transformation and Unity. The competitive events scheduled for the Festival include: Indigenous Music (Stage presentation and DVD documentation), Traditional Wrestling (Junior categories), Essay Writing competition for students in the Senior Secondary schools on culture as an instrument for peace and national unity, Drama with the theme "My Culture Speak Peace", Food Fair and Traditional Furnished Artpartment; while the non-competitive events would be the Cultural Market, Festival Colloquium, Food Fair, Special presentation, Command Performance by host State, Excursion to Tourist Sites, Official Opening and Closing ceremonies and Presentation of awards.

The objectives of the Festival in addition to its traditional role of promoting National Unity, is a forum for talent hunt, skills development and showcasing the best of our cultural heritage as well beacon for tourism attraction in Nigeria.

The Festival draws participation from the 36 States of the Federation and the Federal Capital Territory as well as Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), practitioners in the industry and other allied groups and agencies.