Africa’s first sustainable recycling festival, the Artistic Pulse Festival (APF), is scheduled to celebrate Nigeria’s creative energy, cultural heritage, and commerce from December 3 to 7 at the Remembrance Arcade, Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos.

The five-day festival promises a vibrant blend of art, music, fashion, food, film, and technology, alongside symposiums, debates, creative workshops, a children’s art gallery, and a dedicated play zone. Central to the festival is its commitment to sustainability, highlighting recycling initiatives and the role of creativity in environmental responsibility.

The festival theme, “Footprints of Interconnectivity, Growth and Expansion: Creativity, Culture, Commerce and Innovation,” aims to fuse entertainment with social impact, providing a platform for young creatives, entrepreneurs, and local communities to connect and thrive.

“We need festivals like this to be put on the map so that we can create tourism, create jobs, and drive the community with trade fairs where everybody contributes positively to the economy,” said Dr. Ngozi Omambala, co-founder and creative director of APF.

Omambala emphasized that the festival seeks to integrate Nigeria’s creative sectors—from art to fashion, music to film—into a coherent, growth-driven industry, positioning the nation’s creative economy as a major driver of jobs and tourism.

She also highlighted the importance of Nigerian artists reconnecting with their home audiences, noting the festival’s tagline: “Home is where the heart is. Join the movement. Feel the pulse.”

Co-founder Yemisi Ransome-Kuti described APF as “an expose of the soul of a city,” stressing the festival’s role in strengthening community ties and promoting economic and social inclusion.

“The investment and benefits should not just be for the organisers but for the entire community, both in the short and long term,” she said.

Adding to the festival’s vision, Shade Bembatoum-Young, Honorary Life Vice President of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), emphasized the importance of promoting Nigerian-made products and preserving cultural identity.

“Nigeria’s cultural values are rooted in community, creativity, and craftsmanship. The Artistic Pulse Festival celebrates that spirit by showcasing local innovation and sustainable enterprise on a global stage,” she said.

The festival is set to be a major celebration of Nigeria’s creative ecosystem, offering an opportunity to showcase homegrown talent, encourage sustainable practices, and strengthen the country’s cultural and economic footprint.