The Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange (WSICE) is pleased to announce the commencement of activities for its 2025 edition, marking the 16th year of the globally acclaimed cultural and educational initiative.
This year’s theme, “Decolonisation of Nigerian Youth: Agenda for Our Future Leadership,” continues WSICE’s mission of nurturing young minds through intellectual inquiry, creative expression, and national dialogue.
The 2025 edition will also commemorate the 91st birthday of Wole Soyinka, professor and Nobel Laureate, with special events scheduled to take place on July 13, 2025, at his Ijegba Forest residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Meanwhile, highlights of this year’s edition include: an essay competition, where secondary school students across Nigeria are invited to submit original essays on the theme. About 91 finalists will be selected to participate in the main celebration in Abeokuta.
Other highlights are: Youth Talent Showcase – “Do Your Own Thing” (DYOT), where four selected schools will each present 25 students showcasing creative performances in music, dance, drama, spoken word, and indigenous art forms; and honouring WS@91 winner, where the winner of the 2024 WS@90 Essay Competition would be featured and hosted.
The event will also feature a female talking drummers showcase, a special highlight celebrating female student drummers through traditional talking drums.
Offering details on the essay and submission guidelines, the event organisers noted the essay topic, the theme of this year’s edition: “Decolonisation of Nigerian Youth: Agenda for Our Future Leadership”.
A minimum of 700 words to be submitted along with a passport photograph and completed participation form at projectwsice@gmail.com, while the deadline for entries is June 17, 2025.
The forms are available online and through the Ogun State Ministry of Education.
As in previous years, transportation and refreshments will be provided for all selected participants and accompanying teachers.
WSICE 2025 is produced by Zmirage Multimedia Company in partnership with national and international cultural institutions. The initiative continues to inspire and empower young Nigerians to take an active role in nation-building, leadership development, and decolonial discourse.
