Events

Wole Soyinka Leads Global Guests to 2025 Diaspora Festival

Published

11 months ago

October 16, 2025

Wole Soyinka Diaspora Festival 2025 in Badagry will unite global tourists and celebrate African heritage through music, parades and the Door of Return

Wole Soyinka Diaspora Festival is set to attract global attention as Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka, alongside tourists and culture enthusiasts from across the world, will attend the 2025 edition of the annual celebration in Badagry, Lagos State.

Also read: Wole Soyinka Criticizes U.S. Visa Process as Bizarre

Speaking at a press briefing on Tuesday, the Chairman of Badagry Local Government, Mr Babatunde Hunpe, announced that the festival would hold from October 16 to 18, with the three councils in Badagry jointly overseeing the event in partnership with the Africa Renaissance Foundation and the African Door of Return Experience.

Hunpe said the three-day cultural celebration would feature an energetic showcase of African heritage, including traditional drumming, dance, parades, boat regattas, and historical re-enactments that narrate the rich story of the continent.

He described the festival as a “spiritually profound journey,” noting that its centrepiece, the Door of Return Ceremony, remains a deeply emotional experience for descendants of enslaved Africans who symbolically retrace their ancestral steps back to the motherland.

“This reenactment has become a beacon of hope and pride, showcasing Badagry as a hub of Pan-African consciousness and cultural renewal,” Hunpe said.

Also speaking, Mr Bonu Solomon, the lawmaker representing Badagry Constituency 1 in the Lagos State House of Assembly, confirmed that Prof. Wole Soyinka would lead the visiting delegation to Badagry.

Solomon, who chairs the House Committee on Tourism and Culture, revealed that the event would host guests from Cuba, Brazil, and several European countries, alongside Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM).

“Tourists are already arriving. Even students from Ajegunle are coming as visitors. Our goal is to project Badagry as a leading global tourism destination,” Solomon added.

He praised the unity among the three council chairmen, saying their collaboration signals “a new era of growth for Badagry’s tourism and cultural revival.”

Also read: Wole Soyinka Backs Isese Day, Urges Embrace of Tradition

The Wole Soyinka Diaspora Festival 2025 promises to be a landmark event celebrating African resilience, creativity and unity on the shores of one of Nigeria’s most historic towns.

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Events

Rechael Okonkwo’s Carnival Brings Free Healthcare to 5,000 Residents

Published

1 week ago

September 2, 2026

Mariam Balogun

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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.”