The Correct Connect Africa Foundation (CCAF) has announced the 2025 edition of Africa Memorial Day (AMD), set to take place on Sunday, May 25, at the Oriental Hotel in Victoria Island, Lagos. With the theme, “Historical consciousness and human justice,” this year’s memorial promises to be a powerful convergence of remembrance, cultural affirmation, and collective resolve.
Africa Memorial Day is not simply a date on the calendar, it is a sacred moment of truth-telling, healing, and honoring the memory of African ancestors who endured the horrors of slavery and the violence of colonisation. It calls upon Africans across the continent and the diaspora to gather in unity, reflect deeply, and recommit to justice and dignity for all African peoples.
One of the most moving aspects of the day will be The Rite of Africa Memorial Day—a spiritual and symbolic tribute dedicated to the lives lost and disrupted during centuries of oppression. This solemn ritual will offer space for reverence, mourning, and connection to ancestral memory.
The programme also includes thought-provoking panel discussions that will feature respected historians, legal experts, cultural custodians, and justice advocates. These conversations will explore critical issues around African identity, memory preservation, and the pursuit of reparative justice. Through these dialogues, participants will confront difficult truths and envision pathways toward lasting healing and equity.
Complementing the reflective moments will be a dynamic showcase of artistic performances, from music and spoken word to drama and traditional dance. Each performance will echo the themes of resilience, resistance, and cultural pride, reminding all in attendance of the enduring strength and creativity of African communities.
Additionally, interactive cultural exhibitions will offer an immersive journey through African heritage. Visitors will encounter historical installations, art displays, and educational exhibits designed to both inform and inspire a deeper understanding of the African story.
“This is not just an event; it is a sacred duty,” says Fr. Anthony Aleakwe Odior, executive guardian and chief advocate of CCAF. “Africa Memorial Day is our collective moment to speak the names of our ancestors, awaken our memory, and boldly demand justice through historical truth and cultural dignity.”
Africa Memorial Day 2025 is expected to draw a wide array of participants, from youth groups, scholars, and artists to community leaders, faith-based organizations, and human rights defenders. Together, they will form a living bridge between the wounds of the past and the dreams of a future defined by justice, unity, and restored African pride. In honouring the past, AMD 2025 aims to shape a more conscious and just future.