Running from 12 October to 28 December 2025, the exhibition spans 12 weeks of programming, including The Talks, Kalakuta Cinema, Young Rebels’ Corner, and live performances by Femi and Made Kuti, among others.
By Emmanuel ‘Waziri’ Okoro
Fela Kuti: Afrobeat Rebellion officially opened at the Ecobank Pan African Centre, marking a historic moment in the acclaimed exhibition’s long-awaited return to Africa.
Presented by the A Whitespace Creative Arts (AWCA) Foundation, in collaboration with the French Embassy in Nigeria, the Kuti family, and the Philharmonie de Paris, the Lagos edition celebrates the life, music, and activism of Fela Anikulapo Kuti in the city that gave birth to Afrobeat.
The opening night drew an eclectic mix of artists, diplomats, cultural leaders, and members of Fela’s family, all gathered to honour the enduring spirit of the Abami Eda. Hosted by Folu Storms, the event featured electrifying performances from Ezra Collective and Seun Kuti & Egypt 80. Goodwill remarks were delivered by Laurent Favier, French Ambassador to Nigeria, and a representative of the Lagos State Governor.
A symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony, led by members of the Kuti family alongside representatives of Ecobank and the Lagos State Government, officially declared the exhibition open.
Inside the exhibition halls, guests embarked on a powerful, multi-sensory journey through Fela’s world, from rare recordings and archival photography to immersive reconstructions of the legendary Kalakuta Republic and the Afrika Shrine.
“Too often, Fela is reduced to a handful of catchphrases and uninformed stories: “Zombie”, “Water No Get Enemy”, the Kalakuta fire, marrying 27 women, or even the unfounded claim that he performed on stage in his underwear”, said Seun Alli, exhibition curator and founder of JCAA. “Curating Afrobeat Rebellion in Lagos is a deliberate refusal of this flattening. It aims to reposition Fela not merely as a musician or rebel, but as a public intellectual whose music and philosophy are deeply intertwined with Africa’s social, political, and intellectual histories. Nearly three decades after his passing, it remains a profound mystery how Abami Eda’s philosophy continues to resonate so powerfully across all facets of our shared human experience”.
Representing the French Embassy, Ambassador Laurent Favier added, “Supporting the Afrobeat Rebellion in Lagos reflects our belief that culture is a bridge. It is a logical and welcome continuation of the successful exhibition in Paris. This project is both a celebration of Franco-Nigerian collaboration and a cultural gift, honouring Fela’s legacy, who was greatly appreciated in France, while deepening the dialogue between our two nations.”
The night ended in true Fela fashion: with rhythm, movement, and communion, as the crowd danced and toasted to the resilience of Afrobeat.
Running from 12 October to 28 December 2025, the exhibition spans 12 weeks of programming, including The Talks, Kalakuta Cinema, Young Rebels’ Corner, and live performances by Femi and Made Kuti, among others.
The exhibition is open Fridays to Sundays (10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.), with Thursdays reserved for VIP and institutional visits. General admission is free, while RSVPs are required for talks, workshops, book readings, and cinema screenings due to limited capacity. Ticketing is available via Luma.