Ed Keazor, Director of the Nsibidi Institute has said that the forth coming inaugural festival on Nigerian popular culture looks to explore the strong affinities between Nigerian Contemporary and Historical popular cultures.
He said that the objective of the three-day 2025 inaugural festival on Nigerian popular culture is “to demonstrate the vibrant continuity of our social history”.
The event scheduled for September 26-28 with a theme: “The Past in the Present Around us: A retrospective celebration of Nigerian Popular Culture,” takes place in Lagos.
“We shall explore this through film, photo and art exhibitions, performance and interactive conversations,” Keazor noted.
Participants are to partake in a symposium, exhibition, film screening, photo exhibition, among others at the 2025 inaugural festival by Nsibidi Institute.
However, the opening day keynote address titled, “Heritage and Future in the Past” to be delivered by Director-General, National Council for Arts and Culture, Ojinnaka Obi Asika.
A symposium titled, “ The Nigerian popular press: A driver of Heritage and social culture” to be moderated by Aduke Gomez with panelists that include: Jahman Anikulapo; C,. Don Adinuba. Freda Olatunbosun and Micheal Effiong James.
Part of the exhibition for the opening day is on the first century newspaper advertising (1863-1963) and film screening based on Lagos: the birth of a city style (1861-1967) by Muni and Ed Keazor.
“Hubris: A Brief Political History of the Nigerian Army,” with the theme, “Military Rule and Social Impact” will be the center of book discussion. The author of the book, Major-General Tunde Akinkunmi (RtD), will be in conversation with Yemi Candide-Johnson SAN.’
In the evening of the opening day, there will be a celebration of Don Barber, “A life Behind the Lens”. Don Berber will lead the conversation and will be moderated by Dayo Adedayo.
According to the programme, the second day of the event will be taking place at Didi Museum, 175 Akin Adeshola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos.
On the closing day, there will be awards and recognitions among other activities highlighted to mark the 2025 festival by Nsibidi Institute a success. The closing day ceremony will be taking place at Quintessence, 285, Akin Olugbade Street, Victoria Island.
The Nsibidi Institute is an independent research and cultural organisation based in Lagos, Nigeria. Its work centers on preserving, exploring, and reimagining indigenous knowledge systems, particularly those rooted in Nigerian history, language, and identity.