The third edition of Naija Poetry Fest took place recently at Shodex Garden in Ilupeju, Lagos, marking World Poetry Day with a dynamic celebration of spoken word, music, and visual art. Themed "Poetry, A Face in Different Phases," the event brought together poets, performers, and literature enthusiasts for a day-long exploration of poetic expression in its many forms. Attendees experienced live drumming, traditional dance, and poetry readings that highlighted the shifting moods and roles of poetry in personal and public life. Organisers curated performances to reflect the fluidity of identity, emotion, and social commentary through verse. Poet and performer Tolu Agbelusi delivered a reading that wove personal narrative with political reflection, drawing strong audience response. Drummers from the Lekki cultural troupe provided rhythmic backdrops that underscored the connection between oral tradition and contemporary poetry. Visual artists also contributed installations that interpreted poems as physical forms, merging text with texture and colour. The festival's programming emphasized inclusivity, featuring emerging voices alongside established names in Nigeria's literary scene. No official attendance figures were released, but organisers described the turnout as robust and reflective of growing public interest in live poetry events. The next edition of Naija Poetry Fest is expected to expand to additional cities across Nigeria.
When Tolu Agbelusi blends personal history with political observation in a live reading, it signals a shift in how poetry functions in Nigeria—not as decoration, but as testimony. This festival's fusion of drumming, visual art, and verse isn't just performance; it's a reassertion of African storytelling as multidimensional and alive. In a media landscape dominated by noise and speed, the sustained audience turnout for a full-day poetry event suggests a quiet hunger for depth. That kind of cultural stamina changes the narrative about what Nigerian youth truly value.
