IHRAM African Secretariat
Through collaboration with thought leaders in Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Cameroon and beyond, the International Human Rights Arts Movement works to raise awareness of the struggle for human rights across the African continent. By offering creative programming and a consistent presence, we highlight human rights defenders and the hurdles they face with corruption, police brutality, violence against women and the government's sometimes indifference to the rights of its citizens.
Wole Adedoyin first launched the IHRAM African Secretariat in Nigeria in 2020. In addition to Wole’s impressive work with IHRAM, he also serves as President of the Society of Young Nigerian Authors.
In 2021, Mbizo Chirasha expanded our efforts into Zimbabwe. A published IHRAM writer, award winner and 2020 International Fellow, Mbizo had been representing IHRAM on the African continent since 2017.
In 2025, Geraldine Sinyuy joined us in Cameroon. Geraldine was our International Fellow in 2023, and has continued to publish work with us, create books and work on our brand, even while living in a war zone of northwest Cameroon.
All of the programming that occurs through our African Secretariat is based on the IHRAM values of beauty, sincerity, vulnerability, engagement and celebrating diversity. Past programming has included literary contests, an extensive library of interviews with artist-activists, teen mentoring programs and book clubs.
Through its African Secretariat, IHRAM is cultivating and supporting artists and changemakers who are living in some of the most complicated and difficult political environments in the world.
Wole Adedoyin, Director, IHRAM African Secretariat, Nigeria
Geradline Sinyuy, Director, IHRAM African Secretariat, Cameroon
Mbizo Chirasha, Director, IHRAM African Secretariat, Zimbabwe
African Spoken Word Contest
November 2025
The African Spoken Word contest received 121 passionate entries from countries around Africa, and Africans living in the diaspora. The winners and honorable mentions were announced in late November, 2025. Click on the title to hear and see the spoken word piece!
Honorable Mention
My Name is Fatima
I Dreamed of School
Nyenty Obi Stephanie, Cameroon
Victoria Onyebuchi‑Ozonma, Nigeria
Dafuus Catherine Lapyilnaan, Nigeria
L’Enfance
Idrissa Barry, Guinea
Ibiwoye Jeremiah Olaoluwa, Nigeria
Charity Ani, Nigeria
Special Mention
August 2025
The African Human Rights Music Competition was designed to harness the talents of musicians, vocalists, and songwriters across Africa and beyond. Its goal is to encourage the use of music as a dynamic platform for advocating human rights, raising awareness of pressing social issues, and inspiring change through creativity.
The competition received submissions from Nigeria, Zambia, Germany, Rwanda, Australia, Ghana, India, South Sudan, Congo, South Africa, Réunion and Mayotte, Kenya, Uganda, and Austria. The competition reaffirmed the universal power of music as a tool to spotlight human rights advocacy and social justice. IHRAM is proud of the diverse participation and the quality of entries received, each reflecting unique cultural perspectives on human rights struggles and hopes.
Wole Adedoyin highlighted that these songs collectively address critical themes of freedom, dignity, equality, and justice, aligning perfectly with IHRAM’s mission of leveraging art for social change. “Music has always been a tool for activism, and this competition has proven how artists across Africa are ready to raise their voices against oppression through their craft,” Adedoyin stated.
The African Human Rights Music Competition stressed IHRAM’s broader commitment to integrating arts into human rights advocacy and offering platforms where artists can challenge injustices and inspire meaningful conversations through their work.
First: BREAK THE CHAINS - Itunu Oyewale
Second: FREE WORLD (Felicity) - Alao Feliz Oluwadamilare
Third: DEAD TO RIGHTS - Uche Chidozie
Honorable Mention:
BTC - Aniah Emmanuel Bepeh
AFRICA OUR HOME - Avril
SIT DOWN, SHUT UP AND PROCREATE - Delphina Yeboah
OUR VOICE - Ogedengbe eghosasere
WE WILL FIGHT - Ummalkhairi Buhari
African Human Rights Poetry Competition
August 2025
Check out the winners HERE!
The African Human Rights Poetry Competition was founded with the aim of amplifying the voices of poets who are committed to advocating for justice, equality, and human dignity. Through poetry, the shortlisted writers shed light on urgent issues such as political repression, gender-based violence, child exploitation, freedom of expression, and other critical human rights concerns affecting communities around the world.
The African Human Rights Poetry Competition serves as a vital platform for both emerging and established poets, offering them the opportunity to use their creative expression as a tool for social change and awareness. Their powerful verses challenge oppressive systems and bring attention to injustices often overlooked by mainstream discourse.
Entries were received from over 25 countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Cameroon, Zambia, Côte d’Ivoire, Thailand, India, South Africa, Uganda, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Mauritius, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Rwanda, Canada, Jamaica, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, USA, Egypt, Botswana, Malawi, Madagascar, Tunisia, and Cameroon.
Through this initiative and others like it, IHRAM reaffirms its unwavering commitment to harnessing the transformative power of the arts to promote human rights awareness. By providing a stage for artists and poets, the organization seeks to build a more equitable, compassionate, and conscious society.
First: "COME, I SWEAR WE'LL LAUGH SO HARD AGAIN AND RUN ALONG ALL THE RIVERS" Aishat Yahkub
Second: "BEFORE" Khairat Abdulrazzaq
Third: "AFRICA, RISE WITH LIGHT" Awountsa Tsafac Umel
Honorable Mentions
"BENEATH THE UNIVERSE" Doreen Mwenda
"THE INNOCENT" Sheriff Olanrewaju
"I AM HUMAN, TOO" Chioma Muogbo
"JUSTICE" Tanimu Abdullahi
"The Black Man's Saga" Chukwuajah Emmanuel
Check out the winners HERE!
And see the full long-list of poems by 58 authors (out of 350 submissions!) HERE!
AFRICAN HUMAN RIGHTS INTER-UNIVERSITY ESSAY COMPETITION
August 2025
Check out the winners HERE!
This initiative served as a flagship platform for promoting academic and social activism among young Africans. “This year’s competition saw entries from Nigeria, South Africa, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Rwanda, Kenya, Ghana, and Zambia. The engagement of students from a wide array of disciplines shows that human rights education is gaining ground as a vital part of African academia and civic engagement,” Wole Adedoyin, Director of the IHRAM African Secretariat, stated.
The essays tackled critical and often underrepresented themes in human rights discourse, including gender equality, domestic violence, migration rights, youth empowerment, and environmental justice. Participants demonstrated exceptional analytical skills, offering thought-provoking perspectives and practical solutions to issues that continue to challenge Africa’s development.
Dr. Sinyuy Geraldine, one of the judges, commended the depth of research, clarity of expression, and originality evident in the submissions. “These young scholars are not only writing about change—they are actively shaping the intellectual foundation for it. The quality of work we reviewed this year is a testimony to the intellectual powerhouses Africa’s institutions are producing,” she remarked.
The African Human Rights Inter-University Essay Competition remains a crucial part of IHRAM’s broader mission to integrate the arts and humanities into the fight for justice, equality, and dignity for all. Through initiatives like this, IHRAM continues to nurture a generation of thinkers, advocates, and leaders ready to confront Africa’s human rights challenges with insight and courage.
First: Agnus Dei by Pacella Chukwuma-Eke (Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Nigeria)
Second: The River That Couldn’t Speak: A Story of Environmental Justice by Ajayi Olayinka James (University of Ibadan, Nigeria)
Third: Bridging the Gap: Human Rights, Youth Empowerment, and Africa’s Developmental Promise by Michael Ombasa Nicodemus (Machakos University, Kenya)
Honorable Mention:
Why Didn’t She Leave – An Essay on Domestic Violence by Hassan Mistura Temilola (Al-Hikmah University, Ilorin, Nigeria)
The Cost of Loss: How Parental Death Deepens Social and Economic Inequality in Africa by Fabrice Niyonsenga (University of Rwanda – College of Education)
Puppet Leaders: The Illusion of African Citizens’ Participation in Government by Toroitich Jalody (Kenyatta University, Kenya)
Memories of a River by Ugonna Nmesoma (Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria)
Bandages Without Borders: Reclaiming Healthcare Access and Migration Rights in Africa by Uzoechina Godswill Chidubem(University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria)
Check out the winners HERE!
GEN Z KENYAN NATIONAL POETRY COMPETITION
February 2025
Check out the winners HERE!
Proposed tax hikes are just one of the many factors sparking Kenya's nationwide protests. Citizens are deeply unhappy about the rising cost of living and have accused the president of making false promises.
A finance bill outlines how the government plans to allocate its budget, often presented to parliament before the beginning of the fiscal year, which in Kenya runs from July to June.
Young protesters in Kenya, identifying as Generation Z (GEN Z), have been rallying for days against the country's finance bill. They argue it will further burden already overtaxed Kenyan workers. Following public outcry, the government abandoned its plans to impose a 16% tax on bread and a 25% duty on cooking oil, but the protesters are demanding the entire bill be scrapped.
Despite being East Africa's economic powerhouse, Kenya continues to grapple with youth unemployment, and many Kenyans struggle to make ends meet.
Protests against the tax hikes have spread to at least 35 of Kenya’s 47 counties. In some instances, looting and destruction of property have been reported.
At least 39 people have been killed, and over 300 arrested in demonstrations that began last month over the planned tax hikes.
The GEN Z National Poetry Competition is dedicated to capturing the experiences and thoughts of Kenyans and foreign observers regarding recent protests that have resulted in significant loss of life and numerous incarcerations. This competition provides a platform for participants to express their perspectives on these critical events through the art of poetry.
Winners
A Poem For The Good People Of Kenya – Daniel Ayotunde Omonitan (Nigeria)
Spirit Of The Protest – Sumaila Isah Umaisha (Nigeria)
Because We Could Not Bow To Fear – Stanley Moseka Ntiyia (Kenya)
Honorable Mention
Echoes Of Desperation: A Nation’s Youth Cry For Justice – William Muthama (Kenya)
Scourge Of Greed – Abdulmumeen Humulkhair Olamipo (Nigeria)
Shadows Of Yesterday – Stephen Gatei Wambui (Kenya)
The Kenya We Dream Of – Sayyida Ali Shariff Alwy Ali (Kenya)
The Whispers Of A Nation: A Gen Z Cry – Linda Gichohi (Kenya)
Check out the winners HERE!
African Spoken Word Contest
November 2024
The African Spoken Word contest received 60 passionate entries from countries around Africa, and Africans living in the diaspora. The winners and honorable mentions were announced in late November, 2024. Click on the title to hear and see the spoken word piece!
Honorable Mention
Adetola Eyimofe Jerry Adesewo Nigeria
Othman Amina, Nigeria
Ananya Welankar, India
Christiana Kolawole Boluwatife, Nigeria
Fatima Salihu, Nigeria
African Human Rights Art Competition
July 2024
Click on the book image to see the full collection of works!
The African Human Rights Art Competition received passionate entries from artists in countries around Africa, and Africans living in the diaspora. The winners and honorable mentions were announced in July 2024. Click on the book image to see the full collection of works!
Second Prize
My Hair My Pride
Oyedokun Ezekiel, Nigeria
Third Prize
Woman Liberation
Beaulla-Bertha Likambale Ng’ombe, Malawi
Honorable Mention
Child Labor
Adelina Ndunguru, Tanzania
Native Hersdsboy
Tracy Jamgbadi, Nigeria
Let Your Light Shine
Blessing Ita Frank, Nigeria
Untitled
Devrigan Rakwom, Kenya
Cry Our Beloved Country
Elle Belle Art, South Africa
African Spoken Word Contest
November 2023
The African Spoken Word contest received 31 passionate entries from countries around Africa, and Africans living in the diaspora. The winners and honorable mentions were announced in late November, 2023. Click on the title to hear and see the spoken word piece!
First Prize
Suffer In Silence
by Jon Kote, Nigeria
Second Prize
Voice Against Child Trafficking
Chanjoh Rexson Ngong, Cameroon
Third Prize
Let's Be The Mender
Adetola Eyimofe Jerry-Adesewo, Nigeria
Honorable Mention
Oyamo Richard
Richiepoet the Artist, Kenya
Lillian Sheridan Jenda, Malawi
Othman Amina, Nigeria
Chukwu, Chisom Loretta, Nigeria
We Want To Be Children, Not Brides!
Gugulethu Matshazi Dube, Zimbabwe
African Short Story Contest
June 2023
Chosen by jurors Wole Adedoyin and Gabriel Sunday Afolayan, these works stood out from 72 submissions from Kenya, South Africa, Nigeria, Malawi, USA, Zimbabwe, Cameroon, Pakistan and Ghana.
First Prize: Steve Biko Prize
VICTOR DAMILOLA GARUBA: Water Maid
Victor Damilola Garuba is a Nigerian short story writer and poet who finds his inspiration largely in mythological cosmology. His works appear in Brittle Paper, African Writer and Writers Space Africa.
Second Prize: Prof. Pius Adesanmi Prize
CHUKWU SUNDAY ABEL: You Are a Criminal
Chukwu Sunday Abel (Sunday Obiageli) is an Igbo-born journalist and writer whose literary works have been published in anthologies and magazines across four continents. He is a three-time nominee for pushcart literary prize; a winner of the Creators of Justice Literary Award by the International Human Rights Art Movement Awards, New York; and a finalist in the 2020 National EndSARS Poetry Competition Against Police Brutality in Nigeria.
Third Prize: Binyavanga Wainaina Prize
OLUSOJI OBEBE: At The End Of The Rainbow
Olusoji Obebe is a young Nigerian poet, fiction writer and essayist, nominated for BoTN and currently studying law at the University of Benin. He is a member of HCAF(Lagos) and recipient of PROFWIC ACHIEVERS AWARD 2022. Reach him on Instagram @olusojiobebe and Twitter, @olusoji_obebe.
Voices of Africa
Speaking Truth to Power
Curated and edited by African Secretariat Editor Dr. Uche Akunebu
March 2023
"Speaking Truth to Power anthology is a harvest of fertile poetic minds that revolts and roars like lions in the jungle when things go south. And as the African continent grapples with challenges that torpedoes her greatness, the anthology remains a one-stop shop for people searching for patriots, conscience of nations, freedom
fighters, human right activists, democrats, creative geniuses, and poets with perfect craft. Immerse yourself in the messages in the anthology. The African leaders and African continent will no doubt get her developmental rhythm right, to the glory of all Africans."
Dr. Uche Akunebu, Professor at the International Institute of Journalism, Abuja, Nigeria, Curator/Editor
“Peace” by Christopher Samuel Idowu
Songs of Peace
African Secretariat Directors Wole Adedoyin and Mbizo Chirasha collected work from 12 writers and 4 artists from the Continent, to highlight the work, the passion and the positive intention of these African artivists. The title of the anthology is “Songs of Peace”, and represents another important creative chapter in the work of IHRAM Africa. With our great appreciation to our Brothers in Spirit, Wole and Mbizo!
Read the interviews
from the
IHRAM African Secretariat:
