‘Let Love Lead’: Poetry, Art and Dialogue Shape Naija Poetry Fest’s Rendezvous at Alliance Française
The Naija Poetry Fest Community, in collaboration with Alliance Française de Lagos, hosted its Poetry Rendezvous on Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos, drawing poets, performers, visual artists and literary enthusiasts into a vibrant celebration of spoken word and creative expression.
Themed “Let Love Lead,” with the sub-theme “Seeing through every heart is love,” the event presented a rich fusion of poetry, music, dance, visual art and intellectual dialogue, reflecting the growing influence of spoken word within Nigeria’s contemporary cultural landscape.
The programme was anchored by Oluwatomini Bee Cheng, popularly known as Naijanese, and opened with a welcome address by the Founder of Naija Poetry Fest, Godson Osarenren. In his remarks, Osarenren underscored the importance of sustaining platforms that nurture both emerging and established creative voices, describing Poetry Rendezvous as a cultural initiative designed to strengthen community engagement through poetry and the arts.
Also speaking at the event, Odufa, Librarian at Alliance Française de Lagos, reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to supporting literary initiatives and fostering intercultural artistic exchange through collaborative programming.
The audience was treated to compelling performances by Holyspice and Deborah Usak, alongside an energetic music and dance presentation by Shigo, which infused the gathering with indigenous rhythm and performative vitality. Additional spoken word presentations were delivered by Emmy X Ogaga.
One of the major highlights of the evening was a video poetry exhibition by Lanre Sonde titled “To Your Earth,” offering a visual-poetic experience that expanded audience engagement beyond conventional spoken word performance.
A discussion session led by Kachi and Pa Olu Okekanye explored the role of poetry and storytelling in shaping cultural narratives and contemporary discourse, prompting active audience participation. The programme also featured a special session by Mariam Alayande, while an interactive art session facilitated by Mr. Adeniran blended visual art with literary engagement.
Speaking on the significance of the gathering, Osarenren noted that Poetry Rendezvous continues to serve as a vital convergence point for creatives, reinforcing Naija Poetry Fest’s commitment to promoting spoken word poetry, artistic collaboration and cultural dialogue within Nigeria’s evolving creative ecosystem.
