Building on activities we hosted for WS@90 last year, The Africa Centre is proud to be a part of the continued honouring of Prof Soyinka’s profound leadership… This year’s focus is on youth, leadership and the pivotal role of the artists as embodiments of cultural continuity and catalysts for a paradigm shift in African leadership…
We thank Professor Soyinka for lending not just his name to this initiative, but for personally receiving youth participants each year at his home, and for attending both the Nigerian and UK editions. His presence reinforces his enduring role as mentor to generations of young thinkers, writers, and artists
JULY 24 and 25, The Africa Centre London on Great Suffolk Street, London SE1 OBL, will host a 2-day fiesta of cultural and intellectual engagements to celebrate the 91st birthday anniversary of Africa’s first Nobel laureate, Oluwole Akinwande Babatunde Soyinka, whose actual birthday is July 13.
The programme is courtesy of the partnership between the Centre and the Lagos-based Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange, WSICE, which began last year to celebrate the 90th birthday of the globally-renowned dramatist, poet, essayist, memoirist and human and civil rights advocate “for remaining a beacon of freedom, justice, humanistic ideals, resilience and fine accomplishments.”
The London event, a continuation of the global celebration of Africa’s most distinguished intellectual and rights advocate, which as is traditional every year, has dominated the second half of July in global cultural circuits, will offer “deep reflections on culture, society and the artist’s evolving role in Africa’s leadership,” stated The Africa Centre.
Highlights of the event as unveiled by the WSICE, which has annually celebrated the Nobel laureate’s birthday since 2010, when he clocked 76, would be an international Advocacy Panel on the theme, “The Artist as Postcolonial Agent: Canvas of Leadership Nuances,” which would have speakers and contributors exploring how African creatives confront systems, shape narratives and influence policy. Keynote speakers are Professor Wilson Mano and Dr. Vanessa Iwowo, while the Anchors are Olu Alake, CEO of The Africa Centre, and Dr. Samantha Iwowo of Bournemouth University, UK.
Another core item in the 2-day fiesta is the newly introduced “Africa Youth Literature, Communication & Arts Workshop”, designed to “equip young creatives with tools for storytelling, artistic leadership and self-expression,” stated the WSICE programme team. It will be facilitated by the multidisciplinary artist, Ayo Aladekomo aka Aduke and the visual artist, Abolore Sobayo.
There is also Cultural Night, described as a “vibrant fusion of live music, poetry, and visual storytelling, featuring the sultry singer-folklorist, Kayefi (Afro-folk), Aduke (Neo-soul/Afro-jazz), Segun Akinduro (violinist), Abolore Sobayo (cultural design), and Eyinju Eledumare (performance poetry).
The programming content is conceived as a “powerful cross-continental celebration of creativity, culture and youth leadership”, to mark the 16th anniversary of the WSICE annual celebration of the essence of the humanistic principles of the Nobel laureate, who is the patron saint of the project.
In an earlier press statement, the WSICE programme directorate stated:
From its inaugural edition in 2010 — marking Soyinka’s 76th birthday — WSICE has grown into a globally respected platform where art, advocacy, and African identity converge.
The overarching theme for this year’s edition, according to the organisers, which is “Decolonisation of African Youth: Agenda for Our Future Leadership”, invites participants to interrogate postcolonial realities while envisioning new pathways for African futures.
Since its inception, WSICE has remained deeply connected to Professor Soyinka’s personal values and intellectual commitments—drawing young minds into the work of building a more thoughtful, expressive, and culturally conscious society.
This year’s programme builds on last year’s sensational partnership with The Africa Centre in celebrating Professor Soyinka’s 90th birthday to further embed the successes and continue to honour his values.
The 2025 edition had commenced on Sunday, July 13, in the serene surroundings of Professor Soyinka’s Ijegba Forest residence, in Abeokuta, Ogun State, where WSICE will host: The Youth Talent Showcase (DYOT – Do Your Own Thing): A celebration of youth voices through performance—music, spoken word, drama, and indigenous arts; The Female Talking Drummers Showcase: Young female drummers reclaim traditional rhythms as tools of empowerment; and Creative Exchanges: Art exhibitions, mentorship, and cultural tributes.
The Executive Producer of WSICE and MD/CEO of ZMirage, Dr. Olateju Kareem, shared his vision: “As culture continues to be our pride, let a better understanding of each other’s cultures yield respect and tolerance— leading to unity and the advancement of our shared humanity.”
He added a special tribute to the man at the heart of the programme: “We deeply thank Professor Soyinka for lending not just his name to this initiative, but for personally receiving youth participants each year at his home, and for attending both the Nigerian and UK editions.
His presence— from Abeokuta to The Africa Centre in London—reinforces his enduring role as mentor to generations of young thinkers, writers, and artists.”
The Africa Centre CEO, Alake and a view of the ambience of the Centre
The CEO of The Africa Centre, Olu Alake, said: “Building on the truly memorable activities that we hosted for WS@90 last year, The Africa Centre is really proud to be a part of the continued honouring pf Prof Soyinka’s profound leadership.
“This year’s focus on youth, leadership and the pivotal role of the artists as embodiments of cultural continuity and catalysts for a paradigm shift in African leadership is timely and critical. We look forward to another memorable event that will result in real change.”
WSICE 2025 is produced by ZMirage Multimedia Company Ltd., led by Dr. Olateju Kareem, alongside co-executive producer, Prof. Segun Ojewuyi, and in collaboration with respected institutions across both Nigeria and the UK.
“Nigeria’s production team includes Mr. Jahman Anikulapo – Head of Communications; Dr. Tunde Awosanmi – Creative Director; Prof. Razinat Muhammed – Head of Adjudication; Linda Olowokere – Youth Programme Producer; Lilian Amah-Aluko – Production Lead; Ayo Aladekomo – Producer; and Joy Nweye – Associate Producer.
The Africa Centre. Originally conceived to foster non-governmental relations between newly independent Africa and Britain, The Africa Centre has since evolved into a forward-thinking, inclusive, and respected cultural institution that promotes positive conversations about Africa.
Their mission is to educate, connect and advocate for Africa and its diaspora. Committed to serving as custodians of Africa’s cultural heritage in London and beyond, empowering communities and accelerating cultural diversity and equality through collaboration, and strategic partnerships, their programmes are relevant and impactful, addressing the needs and expectations of diverse communities and transforming lives.
A children’s art workshop in France conducted by Segun Ola Art courtesy of the WSICE 2025
