Abuja is no stranger to grand cultural gatherings, but for three magical days this September, it was children who owned the stage. From the rhythmic beat of drums to the swish of hand-dyed fabrics, from tiny fingers moulding clay to bold brushstrokes capturing favourites sports, the city became a canvas alive with youthful imagination. The 2nd International Children Creative and Culture Festival turned the Nigerian capital into a hub of joy, discovery, and unfiltered creativity and reminding us all that the future of culture belongs to those who are still young enough to dream without limits.

Words by Dr. Ngozi Akande and Ireho Aito | Don’t Keep Your Art in the Finger!

A Festival That Lived Up to Its Promise

Held from September 25 to 27, 2025, at the Nigerian Tulip International College Hall, Wuse 2, the festival was curated by Dr. Ngozi Akande, CEO of PET Art Gallery, also a renowned visual artist whose alluring profile has become a role model in the history of visual arts in Nigeria, Africa and the World as a whole. Organised in collaboration with the Female Artists Association of Nigeria (FEAAN), the International Child Art Foundation, and the National Council for Arts and Culture, with support from UFUK Dialogue.

Designed as a platform to inspire and showcase, the three-day celebration was packed with hands-on workshops, spirited competitions, and cultural showcases that blended tradition with innovation.

The Creative Workshops

The workshops were buzzing with energy. Children plunged into ceramics, discovering the thrill of turning earth into form. The tie-and-dye sessions painted the hall with bursts of colour as indigo-stained fingers proudly held up fabrics. At the painting stations, young artists lost themselves in brushstrokes, their works reflecting both innocence and ambition.

The painting competition was themed “My Favourite Sport” and it was especially moving. Inspired by the global Art Olympiad theme, it allowed children to channel their love for games, teamwork, and play into vivid canvases that spoke louder than words.

Fashion, Culture and Competition

If the workshops fed curiosity, the competitions fired passion. The fashion show dazzled with youthful takes on Nigerian style, while the cultural dance performances drew the audience into a whirlwind of rhythm and tradition.

The festival closed with a celebration of youthful creativity, where the winners reflected not just individual brilliance but also the power of teamwork. High Grade International College dazzled the audience with their Fashion Show, securing the top spot through bold designs and confident performances. In the Art Competition, Nigerian Tulip International Colleges impressed the judges with works that blended imagination and skill, earning them the crown. The Cultural Show, however, became a stage for collaboration, as both High Grade International School and Nigerian Tulip International Colleges shared the honours, their joint performance a reminder that culture thrives most when voices and talents unite.

More Than Just Applause
No child left empty-handed. The festival closed with a joyful ceremony where participants received art supplies, Lelook school bags, exercise books, and pens, meant to encourage them to keep creating long after the festival. The smiles on their faces suggested that the gifts had already served their purpose.
And for Dr. Ngozi Akande, the festival was never about just one weekend, she reveals, “the festival is designed to inspire the next generation of creative leaders while instilling in them a deep sense of pride in their cultural identity.”

That vision resonated in every corner of the hall. Over 200 children participated directly, while parents, teachers, and art lovers witnessed not just performances, but the shaping of tomorrow’s cultural custodians.

One good moment is the festival has gone beyond Abuja. It has opened doors to the world. As Nigeria looks ahead to the 7th World Children Festival and the 7th Global Art Olympiad, the event served as both preparation and promise.

Final Brushstroke

The International Children Creative and Culture Festival has earned its place as more than an event on Abuja’s calendar too. This time, it is now a tradition. And in its second edition, it proved that when children are given the tools, encouragement, and stage, they don’t just create art, they create futures.

Words by Dr. Ngozi Akande and Ireho Aito | Don’t Keep Your Art in the Finger!/Photographs/Dr. Ngozi Akande Gallery