UVA to host Freedom Vibes summit, concert ahead of 2027 elections

Cultural organisation Unchained Vibes Africa (UVA) is set to host the fourth Freedom Vibes Summit and the 10th edition of its Freedom Vibes Concert on November 14, 2026, in Lagos, with a focus on artistic freedom, electoral integrity and peaceful participation ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections.

The event, themed “The Vibes and the Ballot: Art, Power and the 2027 Choice,” will bring together artists, content creators, skit makers, legal practitioners, media executives, civil society organisations, traditional rulers, government officials and regulatory authorities to examine the relationship between creative expression and democratic participation.

The summit will hold from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Kongi’s Harvest Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos Island, in a hybrid format that allows both physical and virtual participation. The concert will follow at the park’s Amphitheatre from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m.

According to UVA, discussions at the summit will address pressures and financial inducements that influence artists’ involvement in political campaigns, with participants expected to develop ethical frameworks for political engagement that protect the independence and credibility of creative professionals.

The gathering will also examine alleged arbitrary censorship and the constitutional rights of artists and skit makers to use satire to criticise governance.

Other areas of discussion include strategies to counter Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI), combat ethnic and religious hate speech, and promote non-violent voter education at the grassroots.

A major highlight will be the screening of a UVA documentary examining documented cases of violations of artistic freedom of expression over the past 12 months.

The organisation will also launch “No Be War,” an anti-electoral violence campaign short film and music video featuring Nollywood veterans Yemi Solade, Tunji Sotimirin and Sam Uche Anyamele, alongside artists MOOH, Tijay Webster and Dr Pure.

The project is designed to encourage peaceful political participation and discourage violence during the 2027 election cycle.

The summit will further showcase civic engagement projects developed by graduates of the Freedom Vibes Academy.

These include Voices Unbound, a short film by Austin Kanwei focusing on youth advocacy against artistic censorship and arbitrary detention; Her Naija Dream, a street theatre intervention by Gloria Francis addressing the financial inducement of women and their political participation; and Memory of a Common History, a documentary by Ahmad Mubarak Tanimu promoting religious tolerance.

UVA said contributions from stakeholders, policy recommendations and panel findings would be consolidated into the Freedom Vibes 2026 Plenary Communiqué on Creative Freedom and Electoral Integrity.

The communiqué is expected to be submitted to relevant regulatory agencies within 48 hours of the event, providing recommendations on safeguarding artistic expression and promoting credible, peaceful electoral participation.

Following the summit, Freedom Vibes 10.0 will feature live music, satire, stand-up comedy and spoken-word poetry, using creative performances to raise awareness of civic rights, electoral responsibility and the importance of protecting artistic independence.

The concert will be headlined by an Afrobeats and conscious hip-hop act, while MOOH, Tijay Webster and Dr Pure will perform the “No Be War” campaign anthem.

To extend its reach beyond Lagos, the concert will be livestreamed globally through UVA’s official YouTube, Facebook and Instagram platforms. Google Meet will also support the event’s virtual participation arrangements.

UVA has invited artists, cultural practitioners, civil society groups, media professionals, public officials and members of the public to participate in the event and support efforts to promote informed, peaceful and inclusive democratic engagement.

The announcement was signed by Prince Adeola Goloba, Campaigns and Advocacy Coordinator of Unchained Vibes Africa.