Alternative Heritage Residency
The French Embassy in Nigeria, in partnership with StoryMi and The Republic Magazine has launched a unique opportunity for emerging writers, photographers, and illustrators to explore and celebrate Nigeria’s cultural and historical heritages through diverse forms.
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Objective: This special issue of The Republic Magazine aims to create a thought-provoking and visually stunning magazine that showcases alternative perspectives on Nigerian heritage. “Heritages” can be defined as “Alternative” when being forgotten and facing long-term peril of disappearance, or because they represent recent creations by minority, marginalized, and/or protesting groups, institutions, and individuals. It can be monuments, but also language, religion, tradition, music, history… everything that makes Nigeria such a unique and diverse country in Africa.
Through this residency, we seek to amplify diverse voices and perspectives, fostering a deeper appreciation for our collective heritage.
Meet the Instructors
Participants will work closely with these acclaimed professionals gaining valuable insights and guidance.
Andrew Esiebo is a visual storyteller who integrates Multimedia practice and artistry. His works have been published globally in Books, Magazines, and websites (The National Geographic, New York Times, Courrier International, Washington Post Financial Times, Guardian Online). He is considered one of the best African photojournalists of his generation.
Diana Ejaita is a Nigerian-Italian illustrator and textile designer. She lives between Berlin, Germany, and Lagos. In 2014, Ejaita started a fashion label, called WearYourMask, inspired by West African traditions and her Italo-Nigerian heritage. In 2019, she illustrated a Google Doodle commemorating the 119th birthday of Funmilayo Ransome-Kuti. Ejaita has designed eight covers for The New Yorker and two covers for The Republic magazine.
Dipo Faloyin is a Senior editor and writer at VICE, where his work focuses on culture, race and identity across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. His writing has also featured in the Guardian, Esquire, Newsweek, Dazed and others. He was born in Chicago, raised in Lagos and currently lives in London. He’s the author of Africa is not a Country (Penguin Books).​
Reimagining Nigerian Heritage
This issue was developed in collaboration with the French Embassy in Nigeria and The Republic as part of our Alternative Heritage Residency.
The issue features Republic editor, Wale Lawal in conversation with Museum of West African Art director, Ore Disu; Emmanuel Esomnofu on the strange genius of funk musician, William Onyeabor; Kéchi Nne Nomu on the legendary influence of pop icon, Onyeka Onwenu, who died earlier this year; Ozoz Sokoh on the foods inspired by novelist, Buchi Emecheta; Yusuf Omotayo on the timelessness of Tunde Kelani’s Yoruba film classic, á¹¢aworoìdẹ and stories from our inaugural Alternative Heritage Residency cohort.
Meet the Participants
PHOTOGRAPHY
Aleruchi Kinika
Oyewole Lawal
Ahmad Abdullahi
WRITING
Ahmad Adedimeji
Emmanuel Azubuike
Judith Hassan
Gabriella Opara
Olaoluwa Olowu
ILLUSTRATION
Ukandi Atsu
Shalom Ojo
Obidike Arinze
Follow Our Journey
