The vibrant city of Abuja recently played host to the spectacular 13th West Africa Afro-Latin Dance Festival Nigeria, which concluded with remarkable success and widespread acclaim. This prestigious event further cemented its position as one of West Africa's most significant cultural and artistic platforms.
Celebrating Dance Excellence and Cultural Exchange
Organized by Dance & Art Alive, the three-day festival brought together an impressive gathering of dancers, diplomats, cultural leaders, and wellness advocates. The event featured an exciting program of performances, workshops, competitions, and meaningful community outreach activities that captivated attendees throughout the weekend.
The festival was convened under the leadership of renowned dance innovator Buddy Doubara Agedah, who received a major international honor during the event. Agedah was named the Best African Dance Innovator in Nigeria (2025) by Best of Best Review, recognizing his groundbreaking contributions to African dance innovation, cultural development, and regional integration.
Competition Highlights and Diplomatic Presence
The Abuja Salsa Championship emerged as one of the festival's most thrilling components, showcasing exceptional talent from across Nigeria. The winning team, consisting of three male dancers - Vincent Harrison Okereke, Kenneth Ugochukwu Ifeanyichukwu, and Francis Eteng Davies - claimed first place with their impressive skill, precision, and remarkable chemistry as a unit.
Teams from Jos made a significant impact by securing both second and third positions in the competition. Their strong performance demonstrates how the Buddy Dance Cup is providing dancers from northern Nigeria with an international platform to train, develop their skills, and showcase their talents to global audiences.
The festival attracted distinguished members of the diplomatic corps, including Ambassador Miriam Morales Palmero of Cuba to Nigeria and Maricel Romero representing the Honorary Consulate of Colombia in Nigeria. Their participation underscores the event's important role in promoting cultural diplomacy between Africa, Latin America, and international partners.
Community Impact and Future Vision
Beyond the artistic celebrations, the festival organizers conducted a free breast cancer screening and counseling program sponsored by Century Group in partnership with the Greenfield Cancer Care Foundation. This health initiative provided valuable screening, education, and counseling services to participants, demonstrating the event's commitment to community wellness.
Under Agedah's visionary leadership, the West Africa Afro-Latin Dance Festival Nigeria has evolved into a flagship creative event that unites dancers from Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Benin, Togo and beyond. The festival continues to boost tourism, create employment opportunities in the creative economy, foster regional cultural collaboration, and showcase how dance can inspire unity and drive positive social change.
Following the resounding success of the Abuja edition, Buddy Doubara Agedah has reaffirmed his commitment to expanding the reach of dance, strengthening African cultural identity, and advancing health-focused community initiatives across the continent. The festival's achievement adds to the numerous recognitions Agedah has earned throughout Africa, further establishing him as a leading figure in both Afro-Latin and African dance communities.
