Culture

Door of Return Badagry Festival Sparks African Renaissance

Published

10 months ago

November 13, 2025

Door of Return Badagry festival unites African diaspora, celebrating homecoming, healing, and cultural renaissance with global dignitaries and returnees

The Door of Return Badagry festival has redefined history, transforming the once sorrowful “Point of No Return” into a vibrant symbol of healing, reconnection, and a new African renaissance.

Also read: Badagry Door of Return Festival Inspires Homecoming

The 5th edition of the festival, organised by the African Renaissance Foundation (AREFO) alongside the African Door of Return Experience (ADORE), Lagos State Government, and Badagry Local Government, attracted returnees and dignitaries from Brazil, Cuba, the United States, the United Kingdom, and beyond.

Through chants, royal displays, and emotional reunions, the festival celebrated Africa’s shared heritage and the reconnection of diaspora descendants with their ancestral homeland.

Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, delivering the keynote address, described the festival not just as a commemorative event, but “the opening chapter of a global return.”

He highlighted the significance of diaspora narratives in completing the African story. Soyinka also announced a historic 2026 intercontinental voyage from Brazil to Badagry, a reverse journey of the slave route — this time symbolising dignity, healing, and ancestral reunion.

Mrs. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), revealed that over 2,000 African descendants from Brazil and Cuba will participate in the 2026 voyage. “They return not as captives,” she emphasised, “but as kings and queens.”

The Lagos State Government pledged to further transform Badagry into a global heritage tourism hub, including the construction of a permanent Door of Return Monument — a beacon of reflection, rebirth, and cultural pride.

Festival participants shared deeply moving testimonies. Dr. David Anderson, founder of A.D.O.R.E., described his vision for a cultural and healing resort on ten acres of Badagry land, aiming to offer returning diaspora a space for rediscovery and empowerment.

Brazilian visitor Eliza Macimento spoke of the healing experienced by standing on ancestral soil, while her compatriot Carolina brought her children to connect with their heritage.

Music and culture amplified the festival’s message. Legendary musician Jeffrey Daniels of Shalamar declared, “Africa is not just history, Africa is destiny,” while Cuban Ambassador Miriam Morales Palmero highlighted the indelible African influence on Cuba’s identity.

Local leaders, including Hon. Bonu Solomon and Hon. Babatunde Hunpe, affirmed Badagry’s status as sacred ground and a global hub of return.

The festival showcased African aesthetics in full: boat regattas on the lagoon, ancestral masquerades, Zangbeto performances, royal pageantry, and rhythmic drumbeats that reverberated across the coast. Each act told a story of identity reclaimed and wounds beginning to close.

The Door of Return Badagry festival signals a profound shift: from sorrow to strength, from exile to intentional homecoming. Africa is calling her diaspora not as victims but as leaders and visionaries.

Also read: Badagry Cultural Film Controversy Sparks Unforgettable Backlash Against New Release

The tide has turned, and the Door of Return has opened — not as a point of no return, but as the beginning of a united Pan-African future.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

1 week 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.”