The Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange, WSICE, kicks off its 16th anniversary celebration in grand style today in Abeokuta as it celebrates Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka on his 91st birthday.
As a result, all is set for a feast of performances, intellectual discourse, exhibition in Abeokuta as Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, turns 91 today, Sunday, July 13.
This feast is part of the string of activities the Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange is organizing across two continents to mark its 16th anniversary, thus continuing its legacy as a vital platform for cultural dialogue, artistic innovation, and intellectual engagement, inspired by the enduring influence of Nobel Professor Wole Soyinka.
Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun (left) and Prof. Soyinka, with some of the participants in the essay writing competition last year.
Governor of Ogun State, Dapo Abiodun (left) and Prof. Soyinka, with some of the participants in the essay writing competition last year.
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.
This year, the tradition continues with events scheduled for July 13 in Abeokuta, Nigeria, and July 24–25 in London, United Kingdom, in partnership with The Africa Centre.
The overarching theme for the 2025 edition is “Decolonisation of African Youth: Agenda for Our Future Leadership”. And it invites participants to interrogate postcolonial realities while envisioning new pathways for African futures.
It will unfold across two continents—Nigeria and the United Kingdom—with landmark events scheduled for July 13 in Abeokuta, and July 24–25 in London.
Prof Ojewuyi, left, and Dr Teju Kareem
Prof Ojewuyi, left, and Dr Teju Kareem.
With a powerful cross-continental celebration of creativity, culture and youth leadership, featuring performances, poetry recitals, exhibitions, roundtables, film screenings and live music, the grand celebration holds today, Sunday July 13, at Soyinka’s “Ijegba Forest of Literature”.
The 2025 programme explores postcolonial identity and interrogates how young Africans can reclaim agency and reimagine leadership in ways that honour their cultural heritage while engaging the demands of a globalised world.
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.
