The Nsibidi Institute has officially relaunched with a series of cultural events and renewed commitment to heritage preservation and creative collaboration in Nigeria.
The flagship relaunch event, the organisation said in release draws around guests from across Nigeria’s cultural, academic, and artistic circles. The evening featured the unveiling of the Nsibidi Institute Mobile Museum, a dynamic installation that blends ancient artefacts with contemporary artistic expressions.
Guests also explored a rare books library, an archival photo gallery, and enjoyed a nostalgic highlife musical performance.
Attendees included high-profile figures such as journalist Rufai Oseni, who delivered an impromptu Highlife rendition; Jahman Anikulapo of the Committee for Relevant Art; Professor Awam Amkpa of New York University; Femke van Zeijl, CEO of the Adunni Olorisha Trust; and Aduke Gomez of the Brazilian Descendants Association and the Irish Embassy.
Other notable guests were artist Ndidi Dike; Tola Akerele, Director-General of the National Theatre; Yets Asika representing the National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC); Chief Phillip Ikeazor, Deputy Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria; Fola Fagbule, Vice President of the Africa Finance Corporation; Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour; Bankole Olayebi, CEO of Bookcraft; and Nsibidi Foundation trustees including Chairman Chuka Mordi, Nnenna Onyewuchi, and Chijioke “Dixie”.
In his welcome address, the Institute’s new Director, Nze Ed Emeka Keazor, laid out plans for collaboration with stakeholders across the cultural and heritage ecosystem.
“The Nsibidi Institute seeks to be a catalyst for meaningful partnerships that advance the preservation, documentation, and celebration of African cultural legacies,” he said.
Chairman of the Nsibidi Foundation, Chuka Mordi, reinforced this vision, outlining a year-long programme of diverse initiatives aimed at engaging communities and celebrating African identity.
As part of its relaunch series, the Institute had hosted A Celebration of West African Highlife on 6th July. The event paid tribute to the late cultural impresario, Steve Rhodes, with the Rhodes family represented by his daughter Ada Rhodes and granddaughter.
Guests included Dr Nadine Siegert, Director of the Goethe-Institut Nigeria; actors Wale Ojo and Francis Onwochei; cultural commentator Toyin Akinosho; filmmaker Kagho Idebor; and American travel vlogger Chris Joondeph of Authentic Traveller.
The institute also held an exclusive screening of the critically acclaimed film Ije Enu by filmmaker Chikezie Ifedobi. The screening was attended by a select group of under guests, including Rufai Oseni, literary critic Toun Gabi-Williams, Chief Chijioke Okoli (SAN), and Michael Odiong, CEO of Premier Records – Nigeria’s oldest surviving heritage record label.
The evening saw the announcement of a strategic partnership between Nsibidi Institute and Premier Records, aimed at developing joint projects that celebrate Nigeria’s rich musical history.
