Events

Lagos set to host inaugural Afropolis Lagos Festival with 200 international tourists

Published

2 years ago

October 24, 2024

J Randle Road closure for Afropolis Lagos

Lagos to host Afropolis Lagos Festival, welcoming 200 international tourists and artists from 11 countries to celebrate African creativity.

Lagos is gearing up to host the inaugural Afropolis Lagos Festival, expected to attract over 200 international tourists and artists from 11 countries.

The event, running from 26 October to 3 November, will be a celebration of African creativity and culture.

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Mr Qudus Onikeku, the founder of QDance Centre and initiator of the festival, made the announcement during a press conference in Lagos.

The festival, themed “Within New Myth,” is being organised in collaboration with the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture.

It will showcase the rich cultural heritage, creativity, and innovation of Lagos.

Participants will include artists and tourists from countries such as South Africa, Ghana, France, Brazil, and the United States. In total, over 20,000 local and international visitors are expected to join the festivities.

Onikeku explained that the festival aims to transform Lagos into a vibrant hub for creativity, bringing together artists, creators, technologists, and tourists.

Major attractions will include a visual art exhibition, music concerts, dance performances, a tech zone, and a children’s play area.

The JK Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History will serve as the central venue, which will be transformed into a large festival arena for nine days.

Mrs Toke Benson-Awoyinka, Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, described the Afropolis Lagos Festival as a celebration of Nigerian identity and a showcase of talents.

She emphasised that the event will highlight Lagos’ status as the largest black cultural melting pot in the world. The festival will offer a platform for African creatives to share ideas, collaborate, and celebrate the continent’s vibrant cultural diversity.

The festival’s opening day will include a VIP preview, a grand ceremony, and a fireside chat with Deputy Governor Dr Obafemi Hamzat, focusing on Lagos’ role in the global African creative economy.

The celebration will also feature a lively carnival procession, performances, and daily film screenings.

The festival will conclude on 3 November with a grand finale of “Afro House and EDM Rave,” marking the end of a week-long celebration of African creativity and cultural exchange.

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Events

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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.

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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.”

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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.”