Manny Ita
The Hadiza Ibrahim Aliyu Schools Festival (HIASFEST), widely recognised as Africa’s largest teen arts festival, is set to begin in Minna on January 14. The annual festival is expected to attract hundreds of secondary school students, educators, artists, and cultural stakeholders from across Nigeria and other parts of the continent.
HIASFEST is designed as a creative platform that promotes artistic excellence among teenagers through structured competitions, exhibitions, performances, and interactive sessions. Participating students are given the opportunity to showcase talents in areas such as visual arts, music, dance, drama, poetry, fashion, and creative writing, while also engaging in activities that encourage teamwork, discipline, and innovation.
Organisers say the festival is not only a celebration of youthful creativity but also a deliberate effort to nurture future leaders in the arts and creative industries. Beyond performances and exhibitions, the programme typically includes workshops, mentorship sessions, and panel discussions aimed at exposing students to career pathways in the creative sector and the broader value of arts education.
Since its inception, HIASFEST has grown in scale and reputation, earning recognition as a major cultural event for teenagers in Africa. By hosting the festival in Minna, the organisers also seek to promote cultural tourism, spotlight local talent, and contribute to community development through arts-driven engagement.
The 2026 edition is expected to further consolidate the festival’s role as a hub for teen creativity, cultural exchange, and artistic learning, reinforcing its position as a significant fixture on Africa’s youth and arts calendar.
