The United States government, through the Pennsylvania House of Representatives and Senate, has announced the recognition of two Nigerian cultural giants, Nobel Laureate Professor Wole Soyinka and renowned artist Chief Nike Okundaye, for their exceptional contributions to literature, art, and African heritage.
This is as the US government conferred the prestigious honours on Soyinka and Okundaye on March 26, 2025, at the Pennsylvania State Capitol, marking the official unveiling of the African Cultural Festival 2025.
Set to take place from September 19 to 20, 2025, in Pennsylvania, the African Cultural Festival is said to be aimed at celebrating the richness of African traditions while fostering global collaboration.
The event’s launch highlighted the transformative legacies of Soyinka and Okundaye, whose works have elevated African culture on the world stage.
Soyinka, the first African to win the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1986, was said to have received “Distinguished Honors” for his groundbreaking contributions to modern African literature, human rights advocacy, and global cultural discourse.
Speaker Joanna E. McClinton of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives praised Soyinka, stating, “Wole Soyinka’s unparalleled literary achievements have inspired generations and ignited critical thinking across the globe.”
Also, Okundaye, the visionary founder of the Nike Art Gallery in Lagos, was celebrated for her revolutionary impact on contemporary African art.
Known for her mastery of the Adire resist-dyeing technique, Okundaye has fused traditional Yoruba motifs with modern aesthetics, earning her international acclaim.
The Pennsylvania lawmakers honoured Okundaye for empowering over 5,000 women through training in traditional crafts like Adire-making and weaving.
“She is a custodian of African heritage whose art and teachings have transformed lives and preserved cultural legacies,” the joint Senate and House citation noted.
