Ed Keazor promotes Nigerian popular culture links, announcing Nsibidi Institute’s inaugural festival to bridge heritage with modern arts in Lagos
The Director of Nsibidi Institute said in Lagos on Thursday that Nigerian culture could not be fully appreciated without recognising how present-day music, film, literature, fashion and media draw inspiration from heritage and reinterpret it for modern audiences.
“Exploring these linkages will provide younger generations with a sense of belonging and preserve cultural memory,” Keazor explained.
He highlighted that historical popular cultures include heritage, traditions, early arts and old media, while contemporary culture encompasses modern arts, fashion, film and digital platforms.
To bring these connections to life, the Nsibidi Institute — an independent research and cultural body devoted to indigenous knowledge systems — will host its inaugural festival from September 26 to 28 at Quintessence, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The event, themed “The Past in the Present Around Us: A Retrospective Celebration of Nigerian Popular Culture”, will feature symposiums, exhibitions, film screenings and interactive sessions.
Highlights include a keynote by Mr Obi Asika, Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, and a symposium on “The Nigerian Popular Press:
A Driver of Heritage and Social Culture”, moderated by Mrs Aduke Gomez, with panellists such as Mr Jahman Anikulapo and Mr Don Adinuba.
Exhibitions on century-old newspaper advertising (1863–1963) and a film screening “Lagos: The Birth of a City Style (1861–1967)” by Muni and Ed Keazor will also be showcased.
A book discussion on retired Maj-Gen. Tunde Akinkunmi’s “Hubris: A Brief Political History of the Nigerian Army” will address the military’s social impact, with contributions from Mr Yemi Candide-Johnson (SAN).
The evening of the opening day will celebrate veteran photographer Don Barber in “A Life Behind the Lens”, moderated by Mr Dayo Adedayo.
Events continue on the second day at Didi Museum, Victoria Island, before closing back at Quintessence on September 28 with awards and recognitions.
Keazor stressed that the festival seeks to reimagine Nigerian culture as both rooted in tradition and alive in contemporary forms, offering a space where heritage and innovation converge.
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