NaijaPoetryFest set to mark World Refugee Day with powerful performances, conversations

NaijaPoetryFest, in collaboration with Alliance Française, is hosting a one-of-a-kind event to commemorate World Refugee Day. Titled Home Beyond Borders: Displacement, Resilience, and Rebuilding in Nigeria, the programme is scheduled for the 17th of July 2025 at 2pm and promises a deeply engaging blend of art, poetry, music, and critical discussion.

This year’s theme speaks directly to both global and local realities. While the world grapples with refugee crises, Nigeria faces its own internal and external challenges. Insecurity, economic hardship, and limited opportunities have pushed many Nigerians, especially the youth, to seek greener pastures abroad, a movement popularly known as japa. But displacement is not only across borders. Within the country, conflicts, banditry, and natural disasters have forced thousands to abandon their homes, triggering stories of resilience and survival that demand to be heard.

The event features a poetic exhibition curated by Lanre Sonde, whose work will anchor the emotional and cultural experience of the day. As both a poet and cultural curator, Sonde brings a deep understanding of the Nigerian condition, using his art to reflect the heartbreak and hope of migration, whether forced or chosen.

Attendees can expect an exciting mix of poetry readings, music, drama, and live performances that give voice to displaced persons, migrants, and those rebuilding their lives in unfamiliar lands. There will also be a thought-provoking panel discussion exploring the deeper issues behind migration and displacement, as well as how communities can build back stronger.
Godson Osarenren, convener of the festival, is using this platform to make a bold statement about the role of poetry and art in capturing the times. Through Home Beyond Borders, Osarenren aims to highlight the power of creative expression in addressing pressing societal issues and creating space for healing and solidarity.

Adding a touch of innocence and raw truth, school children will also perform during the event, offering a hopeful look at how the next generation views home, identity, and the idea of belonging.

This event is more than a performance, it’s a cultural and emotional journey. It offers a safe space for reflection, storytelling, and connection at a time when the Nigerian spirit is both tested and rising.