From Zika Bobby
The Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), in collaboration with the Nigerian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, recently organised a symposium themed: “Cultural Diplomacy and African Unity: Promoting Pan-African Intercultural Dialogue.” Held in Abuja, the event brought together key stakeholders to explore the role of culture in fostering African unity and regional development.
The event brought together diplomats, thought leaders, policymakers, cultural practitioners, students and young influencers, who discussed how culture can unite Africans and contribute to regional peace, cooperation, and development. The event also provided a platform for deep conversations, cultural showcases, and networking, all focused on the power of culture to strengthen African unity.
In her remarks, Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, spotlighted the importance of cultural diplomacy in today’s world, stating: “Today, I had the honour of joining thought leaders and cultural ambassadors at the Annual Dialogue of the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC), themed: ‘Cultural Diplomacy and African Unity: Promoting Pan-African Intercultural Dialogue’. In a time when Africa’s voice is rising stronger than ever, cultural diplomacy is not just a soft power strategy. It is a bridge. A bridge between nations, between generations, and across the diaspora.”
She added that Nigeria continues to take its place on global platforms, using stories, traditions, and creativity to shape perception and build unity.”
She commended CBAAC’s Director General, Aisha Augie, for her tireless commitment to elevating African culture through CBAAC’s work. “Your passion is inspiring, and your efforts are not going unnoticed,” she said, adding: “As we move closer to FESTAC at 50, I honestly cannot wait. It will be a powerful opportunity to reflect, reconnect, and reimagine the future of African arts and civilization.”
Augie, in her speech, expressed gratitude and appreciation for the opportunity to lead CBAAC.
She said: “We are gathered here today not only to listen to expert opinions but to also brainstorm and galvanize ideas that will leapfrog continental unity and progress through intercultural dialogue; a panacea for social, political and economic development. You will agree with me that of all forms of diplomacy, cultural diplomacy has continued to gain traction as a means of deepening international relations and friendships among nations of the world.
“It is a form of diplomacy that places emphasis on cultural understanding as a basis for dialogue and trust. As we may have known, Intercultural dialogue as an integral component of cultural diplomacy is a course of actions that utilizes the exchange of ideas, values, traditions and other aspects of culture and identity to strengthen relationships, enhance socio-cultural cooperation and promote national, regional or continental interest.
“As the world engages in fierce socio-political and economic competition, Africans and peoples of African descents must close ranks and continue to deepen interactions, synergize and fine-tune strategies in order to compete favourably in a world already skewed against them. Africa must, therefore, work harmoniously together in order to take their rightful place in global affairs.
“It is the compelling need to foster cross cultural understanding and strengthening bonds among Africans and the global Black community by proving a platform in which issues relating to African integration, unity and development among others can be discussed that have necessitated CBAAC and the ministry of foreign affairs to organize this event.
“I have no doubt whatsoever that this gathering would come up with innovative ideas and strategies for leveraging culture in our diplomatic efforts. Nevertheless, this event is also designed to reignite Pan-African ideals through culture; recognizing that Africa and African Diaspora unity depends not just on political and economic factors but also on culture.
“Given the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 aspiration for “an African with a strong cultural identity, common heritage, values and ethics”, the symposium is expected to address some salient issues that are important to Africa’s development.”
She said that May 28, 2025, ECOWAS commemorated her 50th anniversary and reaffirmed its commitment to regional cooperation. “This is a welcomed development because in a world ravaged by climate change, regional and continental challenges; leading to ethnic and racial prejudices, ignorance, discrimination and racial profiling, the pivotal role of culture in driving foreign policies has been firmly recognized as the most potent vehicle of intensifying cross-cultural understanding and appreciation among nations.
“Thus, it is self-evident that the field of culture offers a remarkable terrain of understanding and communication between peoples of different political beliefs, backgrounds, races, and creeds. Culture is one area we can deploy to promote and project a positive image of our shared humanity as Africans.”
The keynote address, delivered by Professor Mudasiru Ilupeju Akanbi of the University of Lagos, Faculty of Arts, delved into the historical context of Africa’s disunity, attributing it to European division of the continent along language lines and ideologies, as he stressed the need for Africa to negotiate with Europe and the rest of the world to their own benefit.
He suggested that Africa should focus on cohabitation and negotiation, allowing the continent to dictate its own terms.
Tunde Babawale, Professor of Political Economy and International Relations at the Department of Political Science, University of Lagos, highlighted the existence of language similarities amongst African countries that can be leveraged to unite the continent. He said a return to Africa’s cultures and shared cultural values can reset FESTAC’s objectives of promoting African cultures and unity, stressing that western influences on African culture and neocolonialism have diminished the tempo of Africa’s unity established with FESTAC ’77.
CBAAC, now under the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy was established by Decree 69 of 1979 to promote African cultural heritage, preserve creative works, and organize events to project African cultures worldwide. It was set up following the success of FESTAC ’77 to serve as a Pan-African Heritage Centre, making Nigeria a hub for presenting, promoting, and propagating African cultural heritage and civilization.