In celebration of World Poetry Day 2025, ten distinguished poets from Nigeria and Cuba will take center stage to pay tribute to Nobel laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka at the 6th Providus Bank Poetry Café. Themed “Sand Dune and Ocean Bed: The Template of Dispersal,” the event is set to take place at the Terra Kulture Arena, Victoria Island, Lagos, on Friday, March 21.

This special edition, titled “An Evening with Wole Soyinka,” will not only honor the literary icon but also mark the beginning of the United Nations Second Decade for People of African Descent (2025–2034). It aligns with the ongoing UN Anniversary for Enslaved Peoples and Reparatory Justice, reinforcing the global conversation on cultural heritage and historical continuity.

Curated by Jahman Anikulapo for the Culture Advocates Caucus (CAC) and supported by Providus Bank, the series was initiated in 2020 under the encouragement of Prof. Soyinka, a former UNESCO Goodwill Ambassador. According to Anikulapo, “We could not think of a more iconic and preeminently qualified figure than Prof. Soyinka to serve as the grand patron and guiding spirit of this initiative, inspiring the many young poets who have graced our stage over the years.”

The evening will feature five Nigerian poets alongside five Cuban poets, showcasing a rich tapestry of poetic expression. The selected Nigerian poets are:

•Kafayat Quadri (Kaffe of Life)

•Evelyn Osagie (Evelyn D’Poet)

•Tijani Usman (Tijaywebster)

•Yusuf Àlàbí Balógun (Àrẹ̀mọ Gemini)

•Chinelo Nwora

Representing Cuba as the “Special Guest-Nation” are:

•Alex Pausides

•Edelmis Anoceto Vega

•Israel Domínguez

•Emiliano Sardinas

•Sinecio Verdecia Díaz (based in Canada)

The evening will also feature a 15-piece Cuban musical orchestra and a performance by multi-instrumentalist Wole Alade.

“In curating this lineup, we have carefully selected Nigerian poets with diverse presentation styles to offer our Cuban guests a broad and immersive experience of Nigerian poetry and performance culture,” Anikulapo stated.

Beyond the main event in Lagos, the Cuban delegation—comprising a 15-member troupe led by the Republic of Cuba’s Minister of Culture, Hon. Alpidio Alonso Grau—will embark on a cultural tour in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on March 23. This visit, guided by Prof. Soyinka’s vision for cultural immersion, will include a special performance, as well as tours of significant heritage sites such as Olumo Rock and the Adire market in Itoku.

The 6th Providus Bank Poetry Café promises to be a landmark celebration of poetry, cultural exchange, and shared history, bringing together eminent literary figures, arts patrons, industry leaders, and poetry enthusiasts.