The 3rd edition of the Night of Ideas in Nigeria - yearly event dedicated to the free flow of ideas and knowledge - will be held on Thursday, January 28, 2021 at the Alliance Française de Lagos - Mike Adenuga Centre. It is coordinated by the Institut français du Nigéria.

Entitled "Night of Ideas: Circles of Solidarity", the event address the general theme "CLOSER", in the light of the new solidarities that the crisis of our economic and social models calls for, in the wake of a pandemic that will leave us with a world that is as uncertain as ever. A reality that seems particularly striking in a country such as Nigeria, affected by deep inequalities, conflicts and governance shortfalls, while emerging as a hub of technological innovation and entrepreneurship, often implemented in social areas.

The event will be divided into several "salons", allowing the public to move around in a variety of spaces, take part in conferences and workshops and participate in cultural activities.

> Imaging Oworo exhibition: a community photography project by the artist collective Ennovate Dance House

Launched at the beginning of January 2021, the Imaging Oworo project invited the inhabitants of the disadvantaged district of Oworoshoki (Lagos, NIGERIA) to use photography as a tool to document their environment and build their own vision of their district and its narratives, breaking with external perceptions.

Within the framework of the program "Night of Ideas: Circles of Solidarity", an exhibition of the works produced will be presented in the gallery of the Alliance Française de Lagos - Mike Adenuga Centre.

The exhibition will bring together the work of around fifteen participants and will show with strength, bravery and talent how art and culture can be effective means for the (re)construction of individual and collective identities, for social cohesion and for the valorization of neighborhoods.

Guided tours will be proposed to the public on January 28, 2021, from 5 to 7 pm. The exhibition will be on display until February 14, 2021.

Workshops-conferences

As an event dedicated to the exchange of ideas between countries and cultures, disciplines and generations, the Night of Ideas in Nigeria is an invitation to discover the latest knowledge and to discuss the major issues of our time with a rich panel of international experts.

Taking place in a very particular health context, in 2021 we mainly invited local voices to explore the theme of new solidarities in Nigeria.

3 workshops-conferences will be organized simultaneously, from 7 to 8 pm, in 3 spaces of the Alliance Française de Lagos - Mike Adenuga Centre.

Workshop 1
ENSURE THE SUSTAINABILITY OF COMMUNITY INITIATIVES THAT ACTIVELY CONTRIBUTE TO THE CITIZEN-EMPOWERMENT

Workshop 2
DEVELOP SIMPLE TOOLS TO TACKLE THE PROBLEM OF GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE WITHIN FAMILIES AND COMMUNITIES

Workshop 3
NEW TECHNOLOGIES USED TO BRING PEOPLE AND TERRITORIES CLOSER TOGETHER

List of speakers

• Louis VERRIN (FR): Founder of Mitsio Motu, a French start-up based in Nigeria which, in parallel with its development activities, offers training workshops for disadvantaged communities in Lagos to train their members in data collection and enable their "self-empowerment".
• Marvella ODILI (NG): Director of Save Our Needy, a Lagos-based civil society organization that aims to combat extreme poverty through education and awareness raising on youth entrepreneurship.
• Romain POIROT-LELLIG (FR): Founder of Kwik Delivery, an on-demand delivery platform focusing on the rich and diversified B2B and B2B2C market - has recently developed commercial partnerships with TOTAL and Mastercard.
• Ifeoluwa OGUNDIPE (NG): Founder of the Awa Bike initiative (mobile bike sharing application) which seeks to solve mobility problems in Nigeria.
• Tunji AZEEZ (NG): Professor of drama, film and cultural studies, involved in the Informal Justice Court project, aimed at improving the judicial process of detainees (Kirikiri prison, Lagos) through mock trials.
• Anita Kemi DASILVA (NG): Obstetrician and gynaecologist, also founder of WARIF - Women at Risk International Foundation - a non-profit organization that fights against gender violence, rape and trafficking of girls and women in Nigeria.
• Buky WILLIAMS (NG): Director of the Education As A Vaccine association which works with young people to improve their right to protection against all forms of violence.

Interactive dance performance by the artist collective Ennovate Dance House

Created for the program "Night of Ideas: Circles of Solidarity", an interactive choreographic piece will be presented to the public at the end of the 3 workshop-conferences, at 8 pm.

Entitled A Man's World, this 45-minute piece will revolve around a show blending dance and music. It will question the concepts of gender and male domination, expressing through movements the importance of a consensual and thoughtful closeness.

The performance is created and performed by the young Lagosian artists' collective Ennovate Dance House, directed by Hermes Chibueze ILEYE & Sunday OZEGBE, dancers, choreographers and activists.

The first sequence (about 10 minutes) of the show will be featured in the program designed by Institut français (Paris) entitled "24 hours of Night and Ideas".

Further information

In the second half of the evening, the live program of Institut français (Paris) "24 hours of Night and Ideas" will be broadcast, highlighting the richness and diversity of the proposals that will be put together for the occasion by the French cultural network around the world.

The event will be reinforced in its digital dimension by a live broadcast on the social networks of the Institut français du Nigéria and within the network of the Alliances Françaises implemented in Nigeria.

The 2021 edition of the Night of Ideas in Nigeria is organized in partnership with the Embassy of France in Nigeria and the Alliance française de Lagos - Mike Adenuga Centre.

Partners