By Prisca Sam-Duru
Lagos came alive on Sunday, October 12, 2025, as several cultural and diplomatic stakeholders converged to witness the opening of the internationally acclaimed exhibition, “Fela Kuti: Afrobeat Rebellion,” at the Ecobank Pan African Centre in Lagos.
This opening of the exhibition marks its long-anticipated return to Africa, paying tribute to the profound legacy, music, and activism of the late Fela Anikulapo Kuti in the very city that gave birth to the Afrobeat movement.
The exhibition is being held through a strategic partnership between the Whitespace Creative Arts (AWCA) Foundation, the French Embassy in Nigeria, the Kuti family, and the Philharmonie de Paris, a premier European cultural institution. The collaboration underscores the increasing importance of cultural exchange in international relations.
The opening night was a high-calibre affair, drawing a distinguished audience that included artists, members of the diplomatic corps, cultural leaders, and the Kuti family, all gathered to honour the enduring spirit of ‘Abami Eda’.
The evening also featured goodwill remarks from the French Ambassador to Nigeria, Laurent Favier, and a representative of the Lagos State Governor, preceding a symbolic ribbon-cutting led by key stakeholders.
Guests were treated to performances by the internationally renowned Ezra Collective and the iconic Seun Kuti & Egypt 80. Within the halls of the Ecobank Pan African Centre, visitors can embark on a powerful, multi-sensory journey through Fela’s world—from rare archival recordings and photography to immersive reconstructions of the legendary Kalakuta Republic and the Afrika Shrine.
The exhibition runs from October 12 to December 28, 2025, spanning 12 weeks of enriched programming, including The Talks, Kalakuta Cinema, and live performances by Femi and Made Kuti, among others. Access is free from Fridays to Sundays (10:00 AM – 6:00 PM), with Thursdays reserved for institutional and VIP visits. While general admission is free, RSVP is mandatory for all special events due to capacity limitations.
Speaking about the project, the exhibition curator and founder of JCAA, Seun Alli, explained the essence of putting up the show. According to him, “Too often, Fela is reduced to a handful of catchphrases and uninformed stories – Zombie, Water No Get Enemy, the Kalakuta fire, marrying 27 women, or even the unfounded claim that he performed on stage in his underwear. Curating Afrobeat Rebellion in Lagos is a deliberate refusal of this flattening. It aims to reposition Fela not merely as a musician or rebel but as a public intellectual whose music and philosophy are deeply intertwined with Africa’s social, political, and intellectual histories. His work was never just style or spectacle; it was a catalyst of revolt and hope, the soundtrack for those living under oppression, corruption, and the daily failures of power. Nearly three decades after his passing, it remains a profound mystery how Abami Eda’s philosophy continues to resonate so powerfully across all facets of our shared human experience.”
On his part, Laurent Favier stated, “Supporting the Afrobeat Rebellion in Lagos reflects our belief that culture is a bridge. It is a logical and welcome follow-up to the successful exhibition in Paris. This project is both a celebration of Franco-Nigerian collaboration and a cultural gift, honouring Fela’s legacy – who was very appreciated in France – while deepening the dialogue between our two nations.” The French Embassy in Nigeria fosters strong Franco-Nigerian relations by supporting innovative cultural, scientific, audiovisual, academic, and linguistic initiatives through its cultural network. Afrobeat Rebellion is a flagship collaboration funded by the French Ministries of Foreign Affairs and Culture through its “Alternative Nigerian Heritages”
Founder, A Whitespace Creative Agency, Papa Omotayo, described the project as an immersive experience that bridges generations through art, sound, and storytelling, adding that the exhibition was inspired by Fela’s defiance and creativity.
“For us, this is more than an art show. It’s a three-month programme featuring concerts, talks, children’s workshops, and spoken word competitions, all aimed at engaging the next generation in the legacy of what it means to be Nigerian and creative.
“Originally staged in Paris, France in 2022, Afrobeat Rebellion has now been expanded for its Lagos debut in collaboration with the French Embassy and Philharmonie,” Omotayo stated.
He further noted: “This is about how Fela’s spirit breathes today. We created mirror narratives between the old Africa Shrine and the new one to show how his energy continues to inspire a new generation.
“So, we’ve really been thinking about how this opportunity can create capacity and new ways of knowledge for the next generation,” he stated.
The opening night ended in true Fela fashion, with rhythm, movement, and communion, as the crowd danced and toasted to the resilience of Afrobeat. Viewing the exhibits continues till December 28, 2025.
