Culture

Advocacy Group calls for greater investment in culture, creative arts

Published

1 year ago

June 22, 2025

Gatefield Nigeria urges FG to invest in arts and creative sector as Caustival 2025 highlights resistance, civic justice and youth engagement in Abuja

Gatefield urges FG invest creative industry resources to expand Nigeria’s cultural and economic potential, as the organisation concluded the 2025 edition of Caustival in Abuja.

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The event engaged over 1,000 participants, drawing attention to how art, film, and activism can shape national conversations on democracy, justice, and governance.

Hannatu Asheologe, Media Officer of Gatefield Nigeria, made the call on Friday in Abuja, stressing that the creative sector remains one of the most impactful avenues for youth employment globally.

She said that while the industry has demonstrated potential as a major employer, particularly for young Nigerians, more effort is needed to provide a supportive environment for private investment.

“The arts and entertainment environment should be made more conducive for the private sector to contribute more,” Asheologe stated, urging the Federal Government and stakeholders to prioritise funding and institutional support for the sector.

Gatefield’s flagship cultural initiative, Caustival 2025, transformed the capital into what Asheologe described as a “living canvas of resistance, memory, and political expression.”

The event gathered artists, filmmakers, activists, and citizens to reflect on Nigeria’s democratic evolution and the power of culture in civic dialogue.

A standout feature of this year’s festival was a striking EndSARS tribute installation marking five years since the nationwide anti-police brutality protests of 2020.

The installation, along with exhibitions from ten contemporary artists, confronted urgent themes such as state violence, governance, and political accountability.

While much of the art mirrored Nigeria’s complex political landscape, the event also embraced satire, imagination, and optimism, offering a multi-dimensional experience for attendees.

The film segment of the festival featured powerful documentaries and narratives including Freedom Way, Bad Press, and Radical Gambo Dawaba.

These works explored themes of oppression, civil resistance, and justice. Each screening was followed by interactive conversations linking Nigeria’s civic struggles with global movements for democracy and equity.

Asheologe said that festivals like Caustival play a crucial role in not only preserving creative freedom but also pushing the boundaries of civic education and engagement.

With growing interest from youth and civil society, she reaffirmed Gatefield’s commitment to promoting culture as a tool for social change and political accountability.

Also read: Creative economy: Ogun, FG sign MoU to boost tourism and cultural projects

She called on the government to recognise the creative economy as a vital component of national development and to ensure that institutional support matches the sector’s transformative potential.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

2 weeks ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

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Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”