Culture

Órüpézá Festival Returns to Lagos with Bold Cultural Energy

Published

12 months ago

September 30, 2025

Órüpézá Festival returns to Lagos with music, fashion, film and art, promising a vibrant five-day celebration of Nigerian creativity and heritage

Órüpézá Festival is set to light up Freedom Park on Lagos Island once again, as the much-anticipated cultural celebration returns from September 28 to October 2, 2025.

Also read: Fela Anikulapo Kuti Afrobeat Rebellion Opens in Lagos

Timed to align with Nigeria’s Independence Day on October 1, this year’s edition promises to be an electrifying five-day spectacle of music, film, fashion, dance, gaming, visual arts, and food.

Building on the success of its 2024 edition, which ran during the Freedom Festival Week, organisers are preparing to host an audience of over 20,000 participants.

Last year’s festival was widely praised for its powerful blend of entertainment and thought-provoking expression, sparking conversations around identity, community, and legacy.

“Between fiery afrobeat anthems, soulful ballads, spoken word and comedy, the programme not only entertained but also sparked conversations on identity, legacy, and community,” a statement from the organisers noted.

A major highlight of the previous edition was the launch of the Órüpézá Cultural Honours, recognising individuals who have shaped Nigeria’s creative heritage.

Honourees included veteran journalist and culture advocate Jahman Anikulapo, renowned sculptor Bruce Onobrakpeya, and iconic actress Taiwo Ajayi-Lycett.

Their recognition reflected the festival’s deeper mission: to bridge generations and affirm culture as the bedrock of community.

Festival Director Edi Lawani described the initiative as a “cultural economy in motion”, noting that the 2025 edition aims to extend the legacy further.

“Last year, we honoured legends who paved the way. This year, we are deepening that vision by creating more platforms for youth, communities, and new stories. The festival is about freedom, but it is also about belonging and legacy,” Lawani stated.

Also read: Ooni of Ife Predicts New Dawn at Olojo Festival

The Órüpézá Festival continues to grow not just as an event, but as a symbol of cultural identity and economic potential, threading together Nigeria’s past, present, and emerging voices.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

3 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.”