Held at the Indoor Sports Hall of the Sports Centre, University of Lagos (UNILAG) on Thursday, August 14, 2025, the Afro-Caribbean Carnival marked its 20th anniversary with a dazzling showcase of music, dance, and cultural pride.
This year’s milestone carnival featured vibrant performances from Brazil, Bahamas, Trinidad & Tobago, and Africa (Nigeria, Tanzania, Egypt, and South Africa). Beyond the competition, the event stood out as a historic celebration: two decades since the inaugural carnival in 2005 and the first to be hosted under the newly elevated Faculty of Creative Arts.
Performed by 300-Level students of the Theatre Arts as part of their final academic assessment for THA 344, the Afro-Caribbean Carnival blended cultural expression with academic rigor. Under the meticulous coordination of Dr. Cornelius Onyekaba, whose name has become synonymous with the festival’s evolution, the event stood as a powerful testament to the union of scholarship and creativity.
At the end of it all, Team Bahamas emerged overall winner with 219 points. Team Africa came in as first runner-up with 198 points, narrowly edging out Trinidad & Tobago, who finished second runner-up with 197 points.
With feathers soaring, drums pounding, and the electrifying spirit of the islands on full display, Team Bahamas delivered a performance praised for its layered storytelling, authentic costumes, and magnetic choreography, a winning combination that left a lasting impression.
The victory is Team Bahamas’ second in three years, reaffirming their rising dominance at the festival. They also extended their winning streak in the prestigious Royalty category, producing both the King and Queen of the Carnival for a second consecutive edition. This year’s titles went to Mr. Seun Shogbade and Miss Kofo Wuraola Ayanda, whose regal presence won the crowd and judges alike.
Carnival Highlights and Awards at the UNILAG Sports Centre
The celebration unfolded with a spectacular “Carnival Tour”, a choreographed journey across continents and cultures. The audience was transported from the samba-filled streets of Brazil to the breezy shores of the Bahamas, the steel pan rhythms of Trinidad & Tobago, the iconic Notting Hill Carnival in London, the jazz-soaked soul of New Orleans, and deep into the traditions of Africa, where stories from Nigeria, Egypt, Tanzania, and South Africa came alive.
Each segment was a full-bodied experience: the students did not just perform; they embodied the characters of their chosen cultures. Through dance, music, and vivid costuming, they brought cultural rituals, masquerades, ancestral chants, and folk tales to life in a production that was both spectacular and scholarly.
Earlier in the day, a lively campus parade set the stage, winding its way through the university grounds in a blend of colour, energy, and sound. Trinidad & Tobago took home the award for Best Parade, Team Africa earned the top prize for Roadmap, and Team Bahamas claimed Best All-Round (Battle Ready) in addition to their overall victory.
Honouring Legacy and Leadership
As the sun set and the final beats echoed, the festival concluded with an emotional awards ceremony celebrating this year’s exceptional performers and honouring distinguished alumni whose contributions have shaped the carnival’s enduring legacy.
Delivering his welcome address, Dean of the Faculty of Creative Arts, Professor Stephen Olu-Ibukun Olusoji reflected on the festival’s journey. He acknowledged the carnival’s humble beginnings championed by the late Dr. Bode Osanyin, as a classroom celebration of culture which transformed into a vibrant movement under Dr. Onyekaba’s stewardship.
He described the event as a “powerful showcase of culture, colour, and community,” ad ding that the students are not simply learning the arts but becoming custodians of cultural heritage.
Professor Olusoji also gave heartfelt recognition to Dr. Onyekaba, calling him the “heartbeat” of the festival. His words: “Dr. Onyekaba has brought consistency, innovation, and, above all, heart. His work ensures that our students really understand; they do not just perform.”
In his own address, Dr. Cornelius Onyekaba expressed deep gratitude to the faculty leadership, sponsors, and the alumni network for their unwavering support. He paid special tribute to Mrs. Iyadunni Cole, the festival’s inaugural Queen, for her consistent commitment over the years. He described the festival as being more than a performance, but “scholarship in motion.”
His words, “Each year demands intense study, research, and rehearsal. Our students give their all not just to entertain, but to preserve and pass on the legacies of their people.”
Alongside Mrs. Cole and Professor Olusoji, distinguished faculty, supporters and several notable alumni were presented with medals of recognition for their lasting contributions to the festival’s growth and success since its inception in 2005.
A Flame Rekindled
As cameras flashed and music filled the air, it became abundantly clear that the 20th Creative Arts Afro-Caribbean Festival was more than an anniversary; it was a reigniting of purpose. It rekindled a shared commitment to storytelling, cultural preservation, and creative scholarship on campus.
With inspired leadership, a passionate faculty, and an exceptionally talented student body, the future of the carnival looks brighter than ever. The next decade promises a bolder fusion of creativity, scholarship, and heritage in the celebration of Africa and the Caribbean.
Report: Bayo Salau
Photographs: Maleek D. Quadri
