Events

Culturati Festival 2024: celebrating Africa’s diversity and unity in Lagos

Published

2 years ago

November 27, 2024

Culturati Festival 2024 celebrates African culture with vibrant showcases, youth empowerment, and economic growth at Lagos’ iconic Freedom Park.

The 18th edition of the Culturati Festival, a premier celebration of African culture and heritage, is set to take place from 5th to 7th December 2024 at Freedom Park, Lagos Island.

Themed “Celebrate Diversity and Unity,” the festival promises a dynamic showcase of Africa’s rich cultural mosaic, blending tradition with modernity in the vibrant city of Lagos.

Also read: Lagos Govt Set To Promote Cross-Cultural Heritage At Culturella Festival

Organised by Culturati Africa in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, this year’s festival features initiatives that go beyond entertainment.

Among these is the Culturati Community Library, a platform advocating for literacy and cultural education, ensuring that the region’s heritage remains accessible and impactful for future generations.

At a recent press conference, Adetola Bakinson, CEO of Culturati Africa, highlighted the festival’s mission as more than a celebration.

“Culturati is a movement dedicated to promoting cultural diversity, fostering empowerment, and creating economic and creative growth across the continent,” she stated.

This year’s festival includes a trade fair for nearly 100 SMEs, organised in partnership with Naijabrandchick, offering businesses visibility, networking opportunities, and access to a broader audience.

The initiative underscores the festival’s focus on economic empowerment, particularly within Lagos’ vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem.

The Culturati Academy, another key initiative, has already empowered over 10,000 young Nigerians with skills in digital marketing, video production, and content creation.

Bakinson reaffirmed the festival’s commitment to equipping more youth with the tools needed to thrive in creative industries, driving sustainable growth in the cultural sector.

Freedom Park, a former colonial-era prison turned arts and culture hub, will undergo further transformation during the festival.

As a symbol of resilience and freedom, the venue will be refurbished to enhance its appeal as a major cultural and tourist landmark.

“This isn’t just a festival,” Bakinson concluded, “It’s a movement for culture, empowerment, and economic growth. By integrating cultural diversity into Lagos’ development agenda, we aim to boost the state’s economy and reaffirm its status as a global cultural destination.”

The Culturati Festival 2024 promises to attract dignitaries, creatives, and tourists from around the world, solidifying Lagos as a beacon of African culture and unity.

Up Next

Indomie Noodles celebrates Nigerian culture with vibrant Abuja carnival sponsorship

Don't Miss

Nigerian, Linda Ifeoma Onyelabara, Wins Chinese Category at 2024 China-Africa Singing Competition

Click to comment

Events

Rechael Okonkwo’s Carnival Brings Free Healthcare to 5,000 Residents

Published

6 days ago

September 2, 2026

Mariam Balogun

Rechael Okonkwo’s carnival provided free healthcare to over 5,000 Nsukka residents, alongside support for widows and children (more…)

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.

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

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.”