Across Africa, festivals have always been more than entertainment. They are spaces where people gather to celebrate, share, and connect. In recent years, a new wave of women-centered festivals has emerged in Nigeria, giving women not just stages to shine, but also platforms to build careers, network, and rewrite narratives.
Creating Safe Spaces for Joy and Expression
At the heart of this movement is Femme Fest Africa, a festival born from the desire to carve out space for women in Nigeria’s male-dominated music scene. Launched by Ayomide Dokunmu and the Femme Africa platform, the event puts women artists center stage, creating a vibrant environment where they are not overshadowed but celebrated. Beyond performances, the festival also sparked a bigger cultural conversation. Some attendees initially assumed it was an all-women-only space and were surprised to see men allowed. That moment of tension opened up dialogue about inclusivity, safety, and the ongoing need for dedicated spaces where women feel fully at home.
Women-centered festivals. Photo: Bella Naija
From Celebration to Empowerment
The Guardian Woman Festival takes a different approach, blending celebration with professional growth. On March 14, 2025, the second edition was held in Lagos under the theme “Women Mean Business.” The festival attracted leaders, entrepreneurs, and women professionals eager to learn and connect.
Lady Maiden Alex-Ibru urged women to integrate empathy into leadership, noting that “our domestic workers deserve as much respect as we give our professional colleagues.” Anita Ibru, CEO of The Guardian, added that the festival was not just an event but a call to solidarity. “It is a movement that galvanises women to take charge of their futures, break boundaries, and influence meaningful change across industries,” she said.
Through workshops, keynote sessions, and the celebrated Seven Wonder Women Awards, the Guardian Woman Festival underlines that women’s empowerment is also about economic inclusion and financial literacy.
Moments at the Guardian Woman Festival. Photo: Guardian.
Women Behind the Lens
Women-centered festivals are also reshaping Nigeria’s creative industries. At the Afro Women in Animation Festival (2025), women animators, storytellers, and creatives gathered to showcase talent and discuss challenges in the animation sector.
Panels such as “Breaking Barriers: Women Leading the Animation Industry” and “Animation for Social Change: Telling Stories That Matter” gave women leaders like Damilola Solesi and Comfort Arthur a platform to inspire others. Beyond talk, the festival provided mentorship and career-building opportunities, ensuring participants left not just with ideas but with pathways to action.
Film festivals, too, are increasingly highlighting women’s voices. As Prime Progress notes, African female filmmakers are finding film festivals to be critical platforms for growth, recognition, and international collaboration.
Afro Women in Animation Festival — panels and mentorship. Photo: Independent.ng
More Than Festivals
What ties all these festivals together is that they are not just events, but movements. They create communities that last beyond the day of performances or panels, fostering relationships that open doors to mentorships, collaborations, and investments.
As one Femme Fest attendee put it, “I came here for the music, but I’m leaving with sisters, contacts, and ideas I didn’t expect.” That is the quiet power of these gatherings: they remind us that empowerment is not a one-off conversation but a continuous practice, nurtured in spaces where women are seen, heard, and celebrated.
Attendees leave with networks and new opportunities. Photo: Bella Naija.
The Future of Women-Centered Festivals
As these festivals grow, they are changing what it means to gather. They show that festivals can be as much about career building and solidarity as they are about entertainment. For many women, attending one is more than just a fun day out; it is a chance to step into a network of possibilities, to feel the joy of collective ambition, and to be inspired by the simple truth that when women gather, the future is made stronger.
