Swansea has been designated as a fast-rising cultural hub for the Nigerian and wider African diaspora in the United Kingdom.
This follows the successful launch of the Legacy Voice Experience, a creative initiative focused on amplifying under-represented voices in the arts.
The inaugural event, held in Lagos, South-West Nigeria, was aimed at positioning the Welsh city as a centre for diaspora-led cultural regeneration, drawing attention to the growing influence of Nigerian and African creatives in shaping the UK’s contemporary cultural landscape.
Curated by founder and Creative Director, Olusola Ige, the Legacy Voice Experience featured spoken word, live performances, and immersive storytelling. All participating artists were drawn from underrepresented communities, with a strong presence of Nigerian and African diaspora creatives whose work reflected shared histories, identities, and transnational experiences.
Speaking at the event, Olusola said the initiative was intentionally designed to establish Swansea as a platform for diaspora expression and cultural legacy.
“By amplifying Nigerian, African, and other underrepresented diaspora voices, we are building a cultural legacy in Swansea that inspires pride of place and contributes to the UK’s global cultural story,” he said.
Audience engagement played a central role in the programme, with organisers encouraging active participation to reinforce values of inclusivity and co-creation. Performances addressed themes such as identity, resilience, and belonging, while African diaspora contributions highlighted the UK’s role as a meeting point for global cultural exchange.
Organisers described the inaugural edition as the foundation of a long-term cultural movement.
They noted that future programmes will focus on community regeneration, sustained promotion of Nigerian and African diaspora voices, and embedding inclusivity within the cultural fabric of Wales and the wider UK.
The Legacy Voice Experience reflects a broader trend across the United Kingdom, where cultural regeneration is increasingly defined not only by physical infrastructure but by the deliberate elevation of Nigerian, African, and other historically excluded voices within mainstream cultural and creative platforms.
Mazino Dickson