Stakeholders in the migration sector have stated the importance of including culture in migration discourse.
The position was taken at the Cultural Hangout Festival organised by the Platform For Cooperation on Mixed Migration (PCMM). The event was held in Abuja between December 12 and 13.
The event brought culture, migration, and identity into sharp focus as stakeholders, diplomats, creatives, diaspora communities, and migrants gathered to commemorate the United Nations International Migrants Day, observed annually on December 18.
Spanning two impactful days, the festival moved beyond conventional migration conversations, to position culture as the missing link in integration, dignity, and social cohesion, reaffirming Nigeria’s long-standing identity as a welcoming country where migrants are encouraged to live, contribute, and thrive.
Speaking at the opening of the festival, PCMM’s director, Victor Aihawu, explained that the initiative was inspired by years of travel and engagement across borders, which revealed a critical gap in global migration discourse.
“Migration is often discussed in economic or security terms, but culture is usually left at the margins,” he said.
“Yet, no one migrates without carrying their culture. When people abandon their culture in the name of integration, they often lose their identity.”
According to Aihawu, the Cultural Hangout Festival was designed as a corrective platform—one that allows migrants to celebrate their heritage while engaging meaningfully with their host communities.
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The opening ceremony featured a welcome address by the Chairperson of the Occasion, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, represented by Rev. Canon Dr. Anamah N’Ben, Director of Cultural Industries and Heritage. He described Nigeria as culturally blessed, with over 250 ethnic groups and a wealth of traditions that continue to shape national identity.
He noted that although migration has historically shaped societies and economies, it is frequently met with fear, resistance, and exclusion globally. The festival, he said, offered a timely opportunity to redefine migration through culture, heritage, and human dignity, positioning Nigeria as a model of inclusion.
The keynote address, titled “From Exclusion to Celebration: Redefining Migration Through Culture, Heritage, and Human Dignity,” was delivered by Distinguished Senator Ireti Kingibe, Senator representing the Federal Capital Territory, and presented on her behalf by Mr. Emmanuel Destiny. The address emphasized inclusive governance, cultural understanding, and the role of migrants as contributors to national development.
International goodwill messages further reinforced the festival’s global outlook. Dave Morath, representing the British High Commission, described the festival as a vital platform for celebrating migrants’ contributions to host communities, noting that International Migrants Day provides space for reflection, learning, and renewed commitment to inclusion.
Mr. Yang Jianxing, Director of the Chinese Cultural Centre in Nigeria, highlighted the strong cultural alliance between China and Nigeria, stressing that sustained cultural exchange has strengthened ties between Nigerian society and the Chinese community. He noted that China hosts many foreigners who live, work, and contribute meaningfully to its development.
Dialogue, Creativity, and Policy Conversations
A central feature of Day One was a panel session themed “Migrants as Catalysts of Trade, Innovation, Job Creation, and Social Inclusion.”
The panel brought together diverse perspectives:
• Ms. Ojoma Ali of the Embassy of Switzerland in Nigeria spoke on migrants as drivers of trade and innovation.
• Yvonne Onabolu of the British High Commission, Abuja, explored culture as a bridge for social cohesion and national identity.
• Imal Silva, a multidisciplinary artist, highlighted art, music, and storytelling as tools for inclusion.
• Kolawole Olatosimi addressed child protection and cultural preservation, emphasizing how cultural development strengthens children’s rights within migrant communities.
Beyond dialogue, the festival created immersive cultural experiences. Participants engaged in a Sip and Paint session hosted by Mautin Aihawu, while migrant children took center stage with presentations titled “My Life in Nigeria and What I Love,” reinforcing the festival’s family-friendly and inclusive ethos.
Traditional Hausa and Igbo dishes were served, alongside outdoor cultural performances accompanied by suya, creating a relaxed communal atmosphere. Cultural displays included traditional dances by the Gbagyi tribe of the Federal Capital Territory and performances by the Black Bone Crew, celebrating Nigeria’s cultural richness.
Day Two: Culture, Rights, and Shared Humanity
Day Two deepened the conversation, beginning with a cultural dialogue session anchored by Favour Henshaw, which encouraged participants to reflect on the uniqueness of their cultures. Through shared stories and lived experiences, participants arrived at a powerful consensus: culture means no harm and must be respected.
The discussion emphasized the importance of learning the culture of host communities, asking questions when entering unfamiliar environments, and avoiding the mockery of traditions or practices. Culture, participants agreed, is central to peaceful coexistence.
The emotional highlight of the day was a spoken word performance by Victoria Olije Onjewu, which explored the interconnectedness of humanity. Her performance challenged divisions based on skin colour, religion, or language, powerfully noting that a Christian can be a cousin to a Muslim and that shared humanity transcends all boundaries. She also stressed that differences in language or name pronunciation should never be a source of ridicule.
A second panel discussion, themed “Protecting the Dignity of Migrants: Inclusion, Rights, and Human Capital Development,” addressed pressing policy concerns, including harsh visa regimes and the lack of appeal or administrative review mechanisms for unfair visa refusals.
Panelists included:
• Jennifer Suoyo Aga, Deputy Director and Legal Focal Officer for Migration, Refugees, and Asylum Seekers at the National Human Rights Commission;
• Quadri-Adu Shakir Kehinde, President of the Afro-Caribbean Chamber of Culture and Tourism (ACCCAT);
• Amb. Sunny Victor Onuoha, Director of International Cooperation and Board Member of the European Cultural Centre Nigeria.
The day also featured a soulful saxophone performance by Tope Sax, followed by a highly interactive session on pathways to regular migration, hosted by Victor Aihawu, with a focus on the UK Global Talent Visa and Innovator Founder Visa routes.
The two-day festival attracted diverse diaspora communities, diplomats, cultural practitioners, and development stakeholders, reinforcing its broad international appeal.
By its conclusion, the Cultural Hangout Festival had firmly established itself as more than a celebration—it emerged as a thought-leadership platform reframing migration through culture, dignity, and shared humanity, while positioning Nigeria as a country that embraces diversity and inclusive development in an increasingly divided world.
