Culture

Climate Change Cultural Advocacy Ignites Powerful Emotional Call to Action in Nigeria

Published

1 year ago

July 6, 2025

Climate change cultural advocacy comes alive through dance and art at Womenhood School, using indigenous stories to drive urgent environmental action

The climate change cultural advocacy movement found powerful new expression as the Womenhood School of Health Science and Technology hosted its annual Cultural Dance Day under the theme “Communicating the Impacts of Climate Change Through Art and Dance.”

Also read: Otu supports new UK climate change programme, agricultural assistance

Blending traditional art forms with urgent environmental messaging, the event offered a vibrant yet sobering reflection on how climate change is reshaping indigenous lives.

The focus was placed especially on women, whose connection to the land often places them on the front lines of environmental disruption.

“This is not just about celebration,” said Nurudeen Bello, the school’s Director and a representative of African Climate Reporters. “Dance is not just entertainment; it is a powerful form of storytelling and advocacy.”

Bello explained that this year’s edition took on a greater advocacy focus, encouraging participants to use indigenous dances and oral histories as tools for awareness.

According to him, the climate change cultural advocacy model can empower local voices that are frequently ignored in mainstream climate dialogue.

Traditional performances by students showcased the emotional and physical toll of rising temperatures, droughts, and environmental degradation on rural communities.

Attendees watched as each cultural routine narrated stories of environmental loss, resilience, and hope—bridging ancestral knowledge with contemporary environmental concerns.

“We invited students to showcase their cultural dances and raise awareness about how climate change is affecting indigenous communities, especially women in forested and rural areas,” Bello added.

The school’s Provost and Head of Environmental Studies, Hadi Abdullahi, noted that although Cultural Dance Day has long been a staple of the school calendar, this year’s focus on climate change cultural advocacy brought a fresh urgency to the event.

“This year, we used dance to highlight how climate change threatens not only the environment but also our cultural identities,” Abdullahi stated. “It’s a creative way to spark conversations and drive home the urgency of action.”

The event drew attention from scientists, environmentalists, and geologists affiliated with African Climate Reporters, who praised the innovative approach to climate education.

According to them, art provides a direct connection to communities and can help translate abstract scientific warnings into culturally relevant messages.

They further warned that climate change is no longer a distant phenomenon but a harsh and immediate threat driving mass displacement across Africa.

These disruptions, they explained, are affecting food systems, biodiversity, and the social cohesion of vulnerable communities.

One researcher noted that “prolonged droughts and deforestation are dismantling ecosystems that have supported indigenous livelihoods for centuries.”

Another expert stressed that integrating cultural elements into climate campaigns increases both awareness and participation at the grassroots level.

In a direct quote that resonated throughout the event, Bello said, “As we gather to celebrate culture, we must also remember our responsibility to protect these cultures and the ecosystems that sustain them.”

This edition of the Cultural Dance Day is being hailed as a success not only in showcasing diversity but in forging a new model of advocacy that combines identity, creativity, and environmental urgency.

Through this lens, the climate change cultural advocacy effort becomes a shared narrative of resilience and resistance.

As traditional beats filled the air and voices chanted songs passed down through generations, the message became clear: protecting the planet and preserving culture are inseparable.

Also read: Asaba Cultural Heritage Honoured in Emotional Igba Mkpisi Celebration

What began as a school event now stands as a stirring example of how creative platforms can energise a wider movement for climate justice and community empowerment.

Up Next

Olubadan Oba Olakulehin Dead Two Days After 90th Birthday

Don't Miss

President Tinubu Celebrates Olubadan at 90 Lauds Leadership Legacy

Click to comment

Culture

OLOJO….Ile Ife’s September Gift To Culture

Published

3 days ago

October 5, 2026

Mariam Balogun

By Halima Adaba,

It was a featubal if the people. It was for the anciebt town of Ile Ife, which the Yoruba race refards as the Source.

Also read: Olojo Festival 2026: Ooni Urges Leaders to Prioritise Citizens

And ut was a festivsl for the King, Arole Oduduwa, Oonirisa, Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, Ojaja II.

And so between September 24 and 28th 2026, the annual featuval dazzjed in all its white glory.

Tge Monarch paid the traditional ancestral homage and offered propitiation as part of the sacred rites of the Olojo Festival.
It was a powerful expression of Yoruba heritage, spirituality, and enduring tradition.

Call it a collection of beautiful moments, faces, colours and cultural expressions.

Every frame tells a story.

Every face carries the energy.

Every moment keeps the heritage alive.

Undoubtedly one of the most sacred cultural celebrations in Ilé-Ifẹ̀. It marked a day associated with creation, thanksgiving, ancestral heritage, and the sacred appearance of the Ooni of Ife wearing the revered Aàrẹ crown.

There were also the devotees of the famed god of thunder – Sàngó who were hardly conspicuous at the festival.

Many other traditional groups came out with candor, showing a powerful expression of Yoruba cultural identity, spiritual devotion, and respect for the ancient traditions of Ilé-Ifẹ̀.

Devotees of Sàngó bekieved the ‘appearance’ of the god of thunder on Seotember 26th could be understood as a symbolic meeting of ancestral heritage, spiritual devotion, and the celebration of creation.

It was a moment when the sounds of drums, chants, and traditional praise poetry brought the history of the Yoruba people to life.

Although Olojo is closely associated with Ogun, the god of iron, and the sacred traditions of Ile-Ife, the presence of Sàngó devotees reflected the rich diversity of Yoruba spiritual heritage.

Also read: Olojo Festival 2026: Ooni Urges Leaders to Prioritise Citizens

As a participant enthused at the festival, “To witness Sàngó Olúkòso emerge on Olojo Festival day is to witness a living expression of history, identity, and ancestral pride.”

Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

1 month 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.

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

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.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

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.”