The University of Lagos (UNILAG) has strengthened its international collaboration in music, well-being and cultural exchange through its participation in a music festival under the Erasmus+ KA171 International Credit Mobility project hosted by the Conservatorio di Musica Alessandro Scarlatti in Palermo, Italy.
Held on September 25 and 26, 2026 in partnership with Piano City Palermo, the two-day festival brought together scholars, performers and students from India, Italy, Nigeria, and the United States to explore the cultural, therapeutic and human benefits of piano music.
UNILAG was represented by a delegation from the Department of Music and Sound Production, Faculty of Creative Arts. The delegation included Dr Florence Nweke, a music therapy specialist and National Coordinator for Nigeria, and Professor Stephen Olusoji, a pianist and Dean of the Faculty of Creative Arts. Three students: Ezekiel Babalola, James Nwakpa, and Jerry Aribidara, also participated in the programme.
Coordinated by Consuelo Giglio, the project connects institutions in Palermo, Lagos, Philadelphia, and Rajkot, using piano music as a platform for intercultural dialogue, artistic exploration and well-being.
The collaboration builds on an earlier visit by the Conservatorio to UNILAG, during which workshops explored music’s potential beyond entertainment, particularly its role in promoting well-being.
Piano as a Bridge Between Cultures
Professor Olusoji highlighted the piano’s capacity to bring diverse musical traditions together. He explained that the festival sought to explore the instrument’s roots and demonstrate its ability to communicate across cultures and accommodate diverse musical expressions.
He expressed appreciation for the collaboration and opportunities it offers for sustained academic and artistic engagement.
As part of the festival, Professor Olusoji performed research-based works alongside pianists from Philadelphia and India, as well as musicians from the host Conservatorio. Discussions also explored potential applications of artificial intelligence in piano music.
Music and Well-being
Dr. Nweke expressed the delegation’s gratitude for the opportunity to participate in the festival in Palermo. She emphasised music’s ability to foster human connection and contribute to healing and well-being.
According to her, music can support emotional and psychological stability, as well as spiritual growth. She noted that the broader goal is to promote well-being through the music the participants create and share.
Exploring Music Therapy
Professor Olusoji and Dr. Nweke led a piano therapy session involving student participation. The session brought together musical repertoire from different genres and cultural traditions with guided listening, allowing participants to reflect on their emotional responses to the music.
The exercise illustrated music’s potential to serve not only as a performing art but also as a resource for well-being. It also introduced participants to the Group Music and Imagery (GMi) method.
During the programme, project partners met at the Conservatorio to review the project’s objectives and discuss plans for further mobility activities.
UNILAG Students Take Their Music to the Palermo Seafront
One of the festival’s highlights was the performance by UNILAG students on the Palermo seafront, where pianos were positioned between the sea and the audience. The performances attracted enthusiastic cheers and gave the students an opportunity to showcase their musical abilities on an international platform.
Jerry Aribidara described the experience as memorable, noting that the scenic surroundings, including the flowers, trees, and sea breeze, created a calming atmosphere that brought emotional and sonic tranquillity.
He added that the audience’s cheers and appreciation made the performance particularly rewarding. He also commended the Conservatorio for providing high-quality, well-tuned pianos and expressed gratitude for the opportunity to participate.
For fellow student Ezekiel Babalola, the arrangement of the pianos between the sea and the audience enhanced the musical experience and fostered a strong connection between the performers and listeners.
He described the opportunity to transform a musical performance into a shared experience of connection as particularly valuable and expressed appreciation for being part of the programme.
Continuing the Mobility Programme
The three UNILAG students are scheduled to remain in Palermo until the end of November 2026. During this period, they will participate in masterclasses with Italian professors, gain practical exposure to music therapy, including the GMi method, and further develop their instrumental skills.
They will also collaborate with international peers in recitals and music therapy sessions, gaining valuable artistic, academic and intercultural experience.
Strengthening UNILAG’s Global Network
The partnership reinforces UNILAG’s international network in music performance, education, and health-related creative practice. It also provides opportunities to build capacity in music therapy, an emerging field in Nigeria, while advancing the University’s internationalisation objectives through sustained collaboration with the Conservatorio and partner institutions in the United States and India.
Report: Lynda Onah
Photos: Faculty of Creative Arts
