Lagos is stepping into a new era of artistic expression as The Lagos Street Art Festival (LSAF) 2025 prepares to transform the city into a vibrant, open-air gallery. Themed “Legendary Lagos: City of Dreams,” this year’s festival celebrates the power of public art to connect, inspire, and redefine urban spaces.
At the center of this creative movement stands a visionary creative council led by Osa Okunkpolor simply known as Osa Seven – Renowned Visual Artist, and Co-Founder Inscribe Art, and Akinlabi Akinbulumo popularly known as Phisha, Creative Director and Co-founder Inscribe Art.
“We’ve been able to build one of the biggest public art brands out of Africa, the Osa Seven Brand,” Osa Seven says, reflecting on the decade-long journey that has positioned his work at the forefront of Nigeria’s street art scene. “There is a need to empower other artists to execute more public art within the country.”
Osa Seven emphasizes that LSAF is not a one-time initiative. “We have been going to schools as part of an ongoing program. At the Yaba College of Technology, for instance, there is an ongoing conversation for students to work with Inscribe Art, integrating this into their SIWES and project programs.”
Under their creative direction, LSAF 2025 will bring together artists from across the state to reclaim public spaces through murals, installations, and community art projects. These visual expressions will transform walls, walkways, and everyday corners into symbols of collaboration and shared identity. It is a project by artists, for artists, and for the people of Lagos, a celebration of creativity that is accessible, inspiring, and uniting.
At the global press conference held at Ndubuisi Kanu Park in Alausa, the organizers and partners emphasized that LSAF is not just about beautification, but about building identity, accessibility, and inclusion.
Karishma Daryani-Chugani, a member of the Lagos Street Art Festival Founding Council described the festival as a place where “We are creating a platform for non-traditional artists, a festival that allows them to showcase their work publicly and professionally, right on the streets.”
On his part, Fatiu Akiolu, managing director of LASAA, said that the role of the agency is to regulate and enhance the city’s visual environment.
“Partnering with the festival aligns perfectly with our mission to ensure that Lagos State remains aesthetically appealing, orderly and culturally dynamic,” he said.
Adaora Mbelu, Lagos Street Art Festival Founding Council member highlighted the importance of democratizing creative expression: “The goal is to democratize art. Art is not limited to galleries or to a specific caliber of people, it should live in the public domain and be accessible to all.”
LASPARK, General Manager Adetoun Popoola connected this mission to the city’s long-term vision, stating, “The murals incorporated in the park tie into LSAF. Murals are for everyone, and accessible to all.”
Over the course of November and December, the festival will unfold through a series of immersive events designed to connect people through creativity, storytelling, and shared experience.
LSAF 2025 unfolds as a multi-week journey through art, storytelling, and community connection. The festival opens with “Story Walls” on November 25th and 27th across the Lagos Mainland, where artists will bring public spaces to life with murals that capture the city’s pulse and personality.
From December 4th to 10th, Public Art Murals will be activated across key locations in Lagos, as artists collaborate to transform neighborhoods into open-air galleries of color and meaning.
The spirit of growth and learning takes center stage on Wednesday, December 10th, where two high-impact workshops will equip creatives with tools for innovation and storytelling:
Design Thinking (10:30 AM – 12:00 PM)
Brand Storytelling (1:00 PM – 2:30 PM)
These sessions, hosting 100 participants, reflects Osa and Phisha’s shared belief that art isn’t just about talent, it’s about knowledge, collaboration, and vision.
The dialogue continues with Fireside Chats and Artist Talks on Thursday, December 11th at Bature, featuring eight industry leaders sharing insights on creativity, culture, and the business of art. The festival then culminates in a Pop-Up Event on Saturday, December 13th, also at Bature, celebrating Lagos’ creative community through live art, music, and collective expression.
Running throughout is the OSA 7 x 10 Exhibition (December 11th –15th, upstairs at Bature), a retrospective and forward-looking showcase of Osa Seven’s artistry, ten years of painting walls, mentoring artists, and shaping Nigeria’s visual culture.
For Osa Seven and Phisha, this festival is the culmination of years of dedication to using art as a tool for social impact and storytelling. Their shared vision for LSAF goes beyond beautification; it’s about shaping narratives, empowering young creatives, and showing how public art can foster a sense of ownership and belonging among Lagosians.
Both visionaries share a deep belief that art can transform not just spaces, but mindsets. Through LSAF 2025, they aim to create opportunities for emerging artists to express themselves freely, gain visibility, and contribute meaningfully to the city’s cultural landscape. Their leadership represents a bridge between creativity and community, showing that when artists collaborate, cities evolve.
The Lagos Street Art Festival was born from Inscribe Art’s passion for storytelling through design, and it continues to grow as a movement where creativity meets purpose. By turning the streets into a shared gallery, the festival removes barriers and invites everyone, residents, tourists, and institutions, to experience art in their everyday environments. Each mural becomes more than color on a wall; it becomes a statement of Lagos’ identity and ambition.
LSAF 2025 is powered by Inscribe Art and LASPARK, in partnership with Lagos Tourism, LASAA, Adidas and Bature Brewery, and supported by LCC, Berger Paints, Pim Pam, Mirus Events, Q21 solutions, Artzmaniang, Filmbydt, Sketchar, Loatsad Promomedia, and Crea8torium.
Together, these institutions are helping transform Lagos into one of Africa’s most dynamic creative capitals, a city where artists are free to express themselves and where creativity is woven into the fabric of everyday life.
This year, the world will see Lagos through the eyes of its artists, bold, diverse, and full of possibility. The Lagos Street Art Festival goes beyond being just an event, it’s a collective effort to bring color, connection, and creativity to the city, one wall at a time.