Culture

Kano Arts, Culture Festival 2025 Celebrates Heritage

Published

11 months ago

October 26, 2025

Kano Arts and Culture Festival 2025 will celebrate the city’s heritage, creativity, and tradition with global participation and vibrant cultural displays

The Kano Arts and Culture Festival 2025 — tagged KANFEST 2025 — is set to make history as the first of its kind in the state, celebrating the city’s rich heritage, creativity, and cultural identity.

Also read: KANFEST 2025 Ignites Kano with Cultural Rebirth

Organised through the Kano State Culture and Tourism Board under the Office of the Deputy Governor, Comrade Aminu Abdussalam, the three-day festival will take place from 25th to 27th October 2025.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Ibrahim Abdullahi Waiya, the festival promises to be a vibrant celebration of art, history, and innovation — a melting pot where tradition meets creativity, drawing participants from across Nigeria and beyond.

With the theme “Preserving the Past, Inspiring the Future,” the government aims to use the Kano Arts and Culture Festival 2025 as a platform to promote cultural innovation and build bridges between heritage and modern expression.

The event will feature traditional wrestling, symbolising courage and strength, alongside majema tanning artistry and Dukawa leather craftsmanship, paying homage to Kano’s global reputation in leatherwork and creative trades.

“The people of Kano are proud custodians of history, and during these three days, history will come alive,” Waiya said. “KANFEST is beyond entertainment — it is a cultural rebirth, a celebration of who we are, and a promise to the next generation.”

He added that the festival would not only revive local heritage but also create new economic opportunities by attracting investors to Kano’s growing creative industries.

“From festival to foreign direct investment, KANFEST 2025 embodies our vision for cultural and economic renewal,” he said.

Also read: Kano Traditional Craftsmanship Thrives as a Proud Cultural, Economic Heritage

As the countdown begins, anticipation builds for what promises to be a landmark event — a powerful statement of Kano’s unity, diversity, and enduring creative spirit.

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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.”