Culture

Enugu Inaugurates Committee for NAFEST 2025

Published

10 months ago

November 6, 2025

Gov. Peter Mbah has inaugurated a Local Organising Committee for NAFEST 2025, charging members to deliver a world-class cultural festival in Enugu

The Enugu State Government has formally inaugurated a Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the successful hosting of the 2025 National Festival of Arts and Culture (NAFEST), scheduled to hold in Enugu from November 22 to 29, 2025.

Also read: Bayelsa emerges winner as NAFEST 2024 celebrates Nigeria’s cultural diversity

Governor Peter Mbah, represented by the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, inaugurated the committee on Monday, tasking its members to deliver a world-class and memorable cultural festival that will spotlight Enugu’s rich heritage, artistic excellence, and tourism attractions.

Mbah urged the committee to ensure meticulous planning and coordination, noting that the event would project the state as a peaceful, vibrant, and culturally dynamic destination.

“The committee must ensure that Enugu presents a befitting image worthy of its reputation as a centre of peace and culture,” the governor said.

According to the terms of reference, the LOC will plan, organise, and implement all pre-festival and festival activities in line with the objectives of the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC).

It will also coordinate sub-committees, manage logistics, publicity, hospitality, and security, as well as promote Enugu’s cultural and tourism assets to local and international audiences.

Other responsibilities include developing a detailed work plan, managing sponsorships and media relations, and ensuring the safety of participants and visitors throughout the festival period.

The committee, which will operate under the supervision of the Commissioner for Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Ugochi Madueke, comprises representatives from relevant ministries, agencies, and private-sector stakeholders.

Responding on behalf of the committee, Madueke thanked the governor for his confidence in the members, assuring that the team would deliver an exceptional festival experience.

“The 2025 NAFEST in Enugu will strengthen national unity through culture and position Enugu as Nigeria’s leading arts and tourism destination,” she said.

Prominent members of the LOC include Dr. Malachy Agbo (Commissioner for Information and Communication), Lloyd Ekweremadu (Commissioner for Youth and Sports), Rev. Fr. Chinedu Mgbodile (Chairman, PPSMB), Hon. Dan Nwomeh (SSA on Media), Hon. Uche Anichukwu (SSA on External Relations), and Hon. Laurence Ani (Executive Secretary, Enugu State Council for Arts and Culture), who will serve as Secretary of the Committee.

Also read: Young talent shines bright at NAFEST day four with cultural show and swag

Also included are representatives of the NCAC, National Museum of Unity, National Gallery of Arts, and Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (South East Chapter), among other cultural stakeholders.

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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.

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.”