By: Manoah Kikekon
BADAGRY, LAGOS – The historic town of Badagry is poised for transformation as the Badagry Young Contemporaries (BYC) prepare to launch a monumental mural painting project this coming Monday, September 22.
The ambitious initiative, titled "Claiming the Future," is designed to position Badagry firmly on the map as Africa’s next leading destination for art, culture, and innovation. The project kicks off at the French Language Village, marking a new chapter for the town's creative landscape.
This artistic revolution was catalyzed by a significant sponsorship from the Goethe-Institut Nigeria, a renowned worldwide cultural institute. The support provides the crucial backing for BYC, a dynamic collective of young local artists, architects, designers, and creatives, to bring their vision to life. The partnership underscores a shared commitment to fostering youth empowerment, cultural dialogue, and the transformative power of public art.
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According to Paul Ayihawu, a representative of BYC, the collective is more than just a group—it's a cultural movement. "We are young artists, architects, designers, and creatives from Badagry, united by a common goal: to make our hometown the first place people think of when they imagine African art," Ayihawu stated.
He emphasized that the Goethe-Institut’s support is a major milestone in their mission to transform Badagry into a continental arts epicenter, leveraging its rich history to inspire a bold, new future.
The "Claiming the Future" project is a multi-community endeavor across Lagos, with interventions planned for Badagry, Egbeda/Iyana Ipaja, Isale Akoka/Bariga, Sabokoji/Sogunro, and Lagos Island. For its Badagry installation, BYC has proposed creating a large-scale mural on the fence of the French Language Village.
The artworks and accompanying live performances will blend futuristic themes with powerful contemporary social advocacy, specifically focusing on ‘Art as Advocacy for Social Justice’ in collaboration with the Mobee Museum.