The Art of Healing Festival, nkà ọgwụgwọ, has brought together Nigerian youth, artists, and wellness advocates for a day-long programme focused on healing, creativity, and mental well-being.

Organised by NAPPYESE Wellness, the event served as a safe space for young Nigerians to explore emotional healing and self-expression through the arts. More than 50 participants, including poets, musicians, dancers, visual artists, wellness practitioners, and volunteers, attended the festival.

Founder of NAPPYESE Wellness and curator of the festival, Ese Julia Otobo, described nkà ọgwụgwọ as “a living sanctuary where young Africans gather to reconnect to their inner wisdom, express unspoken pain, and discover joy again.”

The programme featured spoken word poetry, live music, dance performances, and an intentional art exhibition reflecting themes of grief, identity, and collective healing. Workshops on art therapy and painting provided guided creative outlets, while a live recording of the Big Sister Empath podcast created space for discussions on boundaries, burnout, and mental health stigma.

Sound meditation sessions using crystal bowls and chimes were also part of the activities, alongside a vendor section offering locally made healing products, from herbal blends to handcrafted art.

To improve accessibility, organisers sponsored over 15 tickets for young people unable to afford entry, supported by community partners and donors.

Otobo, who is also a Nigerian singer and multidisciplinary artist, said the initiative represents “grassroots mental health care, rooted in contemporary African culture,” offering young people a place where they are “seen, heard, and held.”

The 2025 edition of nkà ọgwụgwọ marks what organisers describe as the start of a movement for youth mental wellness in Nigeria, grounded in community, cultural expression, and compassion.