The Past In The Present Around Us
A retrospective Celebration of Nigerian Popular Culture
Rooted in the wisdom of the ancient Nsibidi script, the festival reflects on how Nigeria’s heritage, memory, and creativity continue to shape our collective identity. This year’s edition invites audiences to rediscover the cultural footprints that have defined Nigeria’s social life, from the popular press and music to architecture, photography, fabrics, film, and visual art.
Over three days, the festival will present a rich programme of exhibitions, symposia, film screenings, book discussions, and live performances. These events will illuminate the connections between past traditions and contemporary cultural expression, reminding us that our heritage is not static but alive, evolving, and deeply woven into the fabric of modern life.
The Nsibidi Festival seeks to:
– Preserve and reinterpret Nigerian cultural heritage.
– Bridge generational and disciplinary gaps.
– Celebrate Nigeria’s contributions to global art and culture.
By placing the past in dialogue with the present, the festival becomes a living archive, one where history, art, and memory inspire us to envision new futures.
We welcome you to three unforgettable days of discovery, dialogue, and celebration.
Day 1: Friday 26 September 2025 (12 – 10 PM) Quintessence 285B Akin Olugbade Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
12 Noon: Opening Ceremony and welcome remarks
1 PM Keynote: Heritage and future in the past: Ojinnaka Obi Asika – Director-General National Council For Arts and Culture
1:30 PM Symposium: The Nigerian Popular Press: A Driver of Heritage and Social Culture – Aduke Gomez – Moderator: Jahman Anikulapo, C.Don Adinuba, Freda Olatunbosun, Dejo Odeyinka
Photo Exhibition: The First Century of Newspaper Advertising (1863 – 1963)
2 PM: Film Screening: Lagos: The Birth of a City of Style (1861 – 1967) By Muni and Ed Keazor
Break
5:30 PM Book Discussion: ‘Hubris A brief Political History of the Nigerian Army’. Discussion Theme: ‘Military Rule and Social Impact’ Author Major-General Tunde Akinkunmi Rtd in conversation with Mr Yemi Candide-Johnson SAN
6:15 PM: A celebration of Don Barber:’ A Life Behind The Lens’. Conversation with Don Barber Moderated by Dayo Adedayo.
7:15 PM: The Jazzville Revolution: Celebrating Muyiwa Majekodunmi and the legacy of Jazzville
7:35 PM: Jazzville Revisited: Featuring the Lagos Afro-Funk Collective + Special Guests
Day 2: Saturday 27 September 2025 (12 Noon – 8 PM) Didi Museum 175 Akin Adesola Street Victoria Island
Photo Exhibition: Design, Aesthetics and Artistic Revolution – All day
12:20 PM: Indigenous Fabrics and Local Style – presentation by Lucia Ikediashi
1:15 PM Modernism: Vision, Function and Aesthetics: The Legacy of Demas Nwoko, Alan Vaughan-Richards and Giles Omezi
Keynote: Prof Ola Uduku – Dean – Liverpool School of Architecture (University of Liverpool)
Panel Discussion:
Panellists: Ola Uduku, Remi Vaughan-Richards, Theo Lawson and, Tola Akinkugbe- moderated by Kelechi Odu
2:30 PM: Panel Discussion: The Globalisation of Nigerian Art: The Journey
Panelists: Ugoma Ebilah, Victor Ehikhamenor, Jess Castellote – Moderated by Sapphire Ikoghene
3:30 PM Film Screening: ‘March 13: The Lost Legacy of Bida Bikini by Remi Vaughan-Richards’
Director’s Q+A
5 PM The Alchemists: The Art of Victor Ehikhamenor: An Nsibidi Original Documentary Series.
Ugoma Ebilah in conversation with Victor Ehikhamenor
8 PM – Close
Day 3: Sunday 28 September 2025 Quintessence 285B Akin Olugbade Street, Victoria Island
12 PM Photo Exhibition: 100 Years of Nigerian Popular Music. Featuring Archival Photo Images and contributions from five renowned photographers.
1:30 PM: The Alchemists: An Nsibidi Original Documentary Series: Featuring: Richard Olatunde Baker/Gerald Eze
3 PM: My Father’s Book: by Kagho Idebor + Q+A with Director
4:30 PM: Bamidele: The Dele Sosimi Story then Q+A with Dele Sosimi
6 PM: Ije Enu: by Chikezie Ifedobi + Q+A with Director
7:30 PM: Awards and Recognitions
8:15 PM: Musical Performance: The Waterside Sessions featuring The Lagos Afro-Funk Collective
9:30 PM: Festival closes
