On the occasion of the World Poetry Day 2026, four foreign-based poets will join seven counterparts from Nigeria on Thursday, March 19 to celebrate the power of words and essence of freedom in line with the theme: Power & Order: Freedom & Illusion.
Billed for the recently commissioned Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and Creative Arts, formerly National Theatre, located at Iganmu, Lagos Mainland, the event will have each of the poets present his or her reflection on the theme either through reading of the text, or spoken word performances before a distinguished audience that would comprise eminent corporate executives, members of the creative community and as well the general public.
About World Poetry Day
World Poetry Day was proclaimed by UNESCO in 1999 to support linguistic diversity through poetic expression and to increase opportunities for languages, especially those that are endangered to be heard. Each year, the day serves as a global reminder of poetrys unique ability to capture the human experience, challenge injustice, and inspire communities.
WPD celebration in Nigeria: Since 2020, the Providus Bank under its CSR initiative — “PROVIDUS BANK POETRY CAFÉ” — has hosted the celebration of the Day, curated by the Culture Advocates Caucus, CAC, curated and directed by Jahman Anikulapo, under the supervision of the Nobel laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, former UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador.
Officially titled, ProvidusBank World Poetry Day Café: An Evening with Wole Soyinka, the past editions have explored themes relating to humanity’s existential concerns, among them preservation of the environment, education, youth and female empowerment, migration and socio-cultural pluralism.
Joining Soyinka on stage are four guest-poets from outside of Nigeria: Yolanda Castano (Spain), Valter Hugo Mae (Angola/Portugal), Maryam Palizban (Iranian/German) and Mohsen Emadi (Iranian/Mexican). From Nigeria are: Dike Chukwumerije (Abuja); Abdulalazeez Sirajo Alli (Niger); Ayomide Fasedu (Lagos); Nwani Emmanuel Chidera (Port Harcourt); Pacella Chukwuma-Eke (Abuja); Tobi Abiodun (Lagos) and Hafsat Abdullahi (Abuja). Each of the poets will be reading or performing his/her work before the audience in a concert atmosphere.
The theme of the edition, Power and Order: Freedom and Illusions, is designed as a session of reflection on the forces that shape society, the nature of order and freedom, and the illusions that sustain power in a conflicted world.
The event is designed not only as a literary gathering but also as a cultural moment that reaffirms the importance of creativity, intellectual freedom, and the arts in national development.
