By Nnasom David
The second edition of the Onídìrí Festival is set to celebrate African heritage, beauty, innovation and the creative economy in London.
The festival, organised by Roots and Radiance Network CIC under the leadership of its Founder and CEO, Favour Ben, will hold on August 22, 2026, at The Ripple Centre, Barking, London, from 3pm to 8pm.
Held under the theme, “Roots, Rhythm and Revolution”, the event will bring together beauty professionals, entrepreneurs, policymakers, educators, artists, performers and members of the African diaspora.
According to the organisers, the festival will explore the relationship between African identity, cultural heritage, enterprise and innovation while creating opportunities for professional networking, business visibility and cultural exchange.
Speaking on the event, Ben said the festival was designed to give Africans in the diaspora an opportunity to reconnect with their cultural roots.
“Onídìrí Festival is about bringing a sense of home to Africans in the diaspora by celebrating our culture, heritage and identity,” she said.
Ben added that the second edition would be “bigger, more ambitious and more impactful”, urging members of the public to join the celebration.
Beyond cultural entertainment, Onídìrí Festival 2.0 is designed as a platform where culture meets commerce and creativity meets opportunity.
The programme will feature panel discussions, live performances, exhibitions, networking sessions and community engagement, with discussions expected to focus on the future of the creative and beauty economies.
The festival will also welcome Henry Obot as a distinguished special guest.
Music, dance and live performances
Music and live performances will form a major part of the festival, with African and diaspora talents expected to showcase live music, saxophone, percussion, dance, poetry, comedy, cultural performances and other forms of creative expression.
Featured performers include Samuel Ogundapo, popularly known as Dayo Sax; Adeniyi Olusola Morolahun, also known as Abuletic King; Waji-MH; Raphael Akpos; Kangha Tito Osadebey; Austen; Taiwo Sanusi; Olubunmi Samuel Adebisi, known as IAMKORNERSTONE; Adeola Peters and Adeyinka Akinremi, popularly known as Super Girl.
Others include Tito Osadebey, Laitan Desmond, Aridunnu4yourevents, Olanrewaju Balogun, Joseph Osupala (Emperor), Abigail Tonade, Temitope Adeoye (Temi Comic Music), Ayobami Aina (Ayo), Samuel Idowu, Timothy Oyindamola Fagbamila (Damo Dance), Olalekan Agbaje (Hurlarstringz), Benjamin Mayowa Ajagbe (Benjamin Mayowa Sax), Olaoluwa Hassan (Wealthykeyzz), Adeniyi Oluwaseun Victor and Adeoluwa Adebisi (MC Crown).
The festival’s live-band experience will be delivered by Idan Vibes, featuring a multidisciplinary team of vocalists and instrumentalists.
The band will be led by Phillip Olalere as Band Leader and Lead Vocalist, with Emmanuel Omidun serving as Deputy Band Leader and Vocalist.
Other members include Olalekan Olanrewaju, Band Manager, Lead Vocalist, Songwriter and Talking Drummer; Anaun Oluwatayo Adetayo, Vocalist, Songwriter and Event Host; Oluwatobiloba Ebenezer Oyalabu, Drummer; Samuel Ikott, Vocalist and Saxophonist; and Tolulope Sangodeyi, Vocalist.
Aanu Oluwayemisi Olanrewaju, a Soprano Singer and Band Outfit Designer with Greenkreations, will also participate, alongside photographer and videographer Kehinde Aliyu.
The festival will be directed by Ehijie Jeffery Ebhodaghe, known as Director Jeffwise, while Olu Alex will provide DJ entertainment.
The organisers said a key objective of the festival was to promote African culture not only as a heritage to be preserved but also as a source of creativity, enterprise, employment and economic opportunity.
By bringing established professionals together with emerging entrepreneurs, artists, beauty practitioners and community members, Roots and Radiance Network CIC said it hopes to strengthen connections across industries and provide visibility for new voices, businesses and creative talents.
The event will also feature conversations around professional haircare standards, business development, entrepreneurship and other aspects of the creative economy.
The organisers said Onídìrí Festival 2.0 would present African heritage as “living, evolving and economically significant”, while providing a platform for cultural exchange and professional development.
Roots and Radiance Network CIC is a community-focused organisation that uses creativity, entrepreneurship, culture and wellbeing to create opportunities, strengthen communities and provide platforms for underrepresented voices.
Through initiatives such as the Onídìrí Festival, the organisation seeks to connect cultural heritage with enterprise, professional development and community impact.