Prince Segun Akanni Opens Pan-Afrikan Drum Festival In Nigeria, Receives Government Approval
Adedokun Waliyu
2 min read
The Convener of the Pan-Afrikan Drum Festival in Canada, Prince Segun Akanni, has announced the official registration of Pan-Afrikan Drum Festival Ltd in Nigeria and the establishment of its Nigerian office in Iwo, Osun State.
This significant development marks another important milestone in the festival’s mission to promote African cultural heritage, empower young people and strengthen cultural connections between Africa and the diaspora.
The decision to establish the Nigerian office followed numerous calls and recommendations from traditional rulers, cultural custodians, government officials, tourism stakeholders and other distinguished guests who attended the fourth edition of the Pan-Afrikan Drum Festival in Canada in July 2026.
Many of the participants—particularly those who travelled from Nigeria and other African countries—commended Prince Segun Akanni for his determination, steadfastness and commitment to promoting African culture on the global stage.
They encouraged him to introduce the festival in Nigeria and gradually expand it to other African countries.
The Nigerian edition will adopt the festival’s successful Canadian model, combining cultural celebration with practical community development initiatives.
Its programmes will include youth empowerment, vocational skills training, traditional drumming and cultural performances, music and dance, fashion exhibitions, pageantry and other activities designed to preserve and showcase Africa’s rich cultural heritage.
Speaking on the development, Prince Segun Akanni said:
“The establishment of our office in Nigeria and the official registration of Pan-Afrikan Drum Festival Ltd represent a major step in our commitment to advancing cultural reawakening in Nigeria.
Through this platform, we will continue to preserve, revive and promote our cultural heritage while creating meaningful opportunities for young people, artists, cultural practitioners and communities.”
Prince Segun Akanni is also the Publisher of The Drum Online Organization (Pan-Afrikan), an international media and cultural organization committed to promoting African stories, achievements and cultural values worldwide.
He also serves as the Executive Director of the Global Forum for Human Rights and Sustainable Development (GFHRSD).
The newly established office will also accommodate the Nigerian operations of GFHRSD, a nonprofit organization founded and registered by Prince Segun Akanni in Nigeria in 2019 and subsequently registered in Canada in 2023.
GFHRSD is committed to poverty alleviation, climate-change awareness, human rights protection, democratic governance, cultural reawakening and gender equality.
The organization also supports underprivileged members of society—particularly girls—through formal education, vocational training and technical education.
Additionally, GFHRSD collaborates with nonprofit organizations and community partners working in youth education, poverty reduction, climate action and the protection and promotion of human rights in Nigeria, Canada and beyond.
The registration of Pan-Afrikan Drum Festival Ltd and the opening of its Nigerian office reinforce Prince Segun Akanni’s vision of transforming cultural celebrations into sustainable institutions that promote heritage preservation, youth development, economic empowerment and international cultural exchange.
