The maiden edition of the Bonny Festival, described by organisers as the adults’ playground, brought together creatives, art enthusiasts, and cultural stakeholders to celebrate Nigeria’s rich artistic heritage through fashion, food, music, and visual arts.
The two-day event was held on December 20 and 21 at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, featuring cultural and lifestyle entertainment, technology-driven creativity, interactive and immersive experiences, as well as games and competitions, offering guests a relaxed alternative to the usual late-night entertainment culture.
Speaking at the event, promoter Ohiwerei Ekeinde said the festival was designed as an immersive cultural experience where adults could engage freely with art, tradition, and creativity.
“We wanted to create something that feels like an adults’ playground, where people can come during the day, relax, explore, and interact with art in a very immersive way,” Ekeinde said. “At the same time, we wanted to focus on the finer creative arts and bring out some of the quieter but very powerful elements of our art scene.”
He explained that the festival draws inspiration from the way Africans naturally express art during celebrations.
“When you look at how Africans celebrate anything, whether it is a wedding, a naming ceremony, or a festival, there is always fashion, food, music, and art involved. From the fabrics we wear, the songs we sing, to the meals we prepare, every celebration is an expression of art, and that was what we wanted to highlight with Bonny.”
According to Ekeinde, the theme, Best of Nigeria, was conceived to encourage Nigerians to value their cultural assets and tell their own stories.
“We believe Nigerians and Africans have an amazing story, but we have not always told it enough or celebrated it enough. A lot of what we create influences the world, yet we sometimes fail to appreciate it. Bonny is about celebrating Nigerian music, fashion, food, and art, and reminding ourselves that we are part of a powerful story.”
He said the idea for the festival was conceived over 15 years ago and is intended to grow into a long-term cultural platform.
“Bonny is not just an event; it is a platform to support the arts, educate present and future patrons, and encourage people to interact with our culture, both past and present. We have already secured a space for next year and hope to make this an annual celebration.”
Also speaking, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of LVI Art Gallery and Culture Nexus, Julius Iyoghiojie, said the festival’s concept naturally aligns with the mission of visual artists.
He described the festival as a strong emerging brand despite being in its maiden edition.
Iyoghiojie said, “Bonny is promoting culture, and culture is expressed through food, music, fashion, and art. You cannot truly showcase culture without art, and you cannot talk about art without culture. That is why this festival works as a cultural melting pot.
“It is new, but it is a strong brand because the ideology is clear,” he said. “Anything that genuinely promotes art and culture aligns with our mission, and that is why we are here.”
Iyoghiojie said the exhibition featured works by notable Nigerian artists, with selected pieces available for public viewing and sale.
“We collaborated with other artists and collectors to present works by Olako, Peter Ohyere, Dr. Bressana Magbaya, and George Taylor,” he said. “What is on display is just a glimpse of the depth of Nigerian art.”
Organisers said the Bonny Festival is expected to become an annual platform celebrating Nigeria’s creative identity while encouraging a deeper appreciation of the country’s cultural roots.
