WSICE 2025 calls for participation in WS@91 essay contest, youth talent showcase
By Editor
THE Wole Soyinka International Cultural Exchange (WSICE) has announced the commencement of activities for its 2025 edition, marking the 16th year of the globally acclaimed cultural and educational initiative. This year’s theme, “Decolonisation of Nigerian Youth: Agenda for Our Future Leadership,” continues WSICE’s mission of nurturing young minds through intellectual inquiry, creative expression and national dialogue. The 2025 edition will also commemorate the 91st birthday of Nobel Laureate, Professor Wole Soyinka, with special events scheduled to take place on July 13, 2025 at his Ijegba Forest residence in Abeokuta, Ogun State.
As usual, highlights of WSICE 2025 include an Essay Competition for secondary school students across Nigeria who are invited to submit original essays on the theme. Ninety-one finalists will be selected to participate in the main celebration in Abeokuta, a Youth Talent Showcase tagged “Do Your Own Thing” (DYOT) where four selected schools will each present 25 students to showcase creative performances in music, dance, drama, spoken word and indigenous art forms, honouring WS@90 winner with WSICE 2025 featuring and hosting the winner of the 2024 WS@90 Essay Competition and Female Talking Drummers Showcase as a special highlight to celebrate female student drummers through a traditional talking drums performance.
In the submission guidelines, the essay topic is “Decolonisation of Nigerian Youth: Agenda for Our Future Leadership” and should have a minimum of 700 words count and should be mailed to: projectwsice@gmail.com. Submission deadline is June 17, 2025, along with a passport photograph and completed participation form. Forms are available online and through the Ogun State Ministry of Education. As in previous years, transportation and refreshments will be provided for all selected participants and the teachers who will accompany the students.
WSICE 2025 is produced by Zmirage Multimedia Company in partnership with national and international cultural institutions. The initiative continues to inspire and empower young Nigerians to take an active role in nation-building, leadership development, and decolonial discourse. All enquiries should be sent to: projectwsice@gmail.com.
