The founder of Naija Poetry Fest, Godson Osarenren, has called on Nigerian schools to give greater attention to poetry and other creative arts, stressing their role in developing students’ critical thinking and intellectual abilities.
Speaking in an interview with The Nigeria Education News, Osarenren, a poet, author and national award winner recognised by Black Pride Magazine, said the poetry platform was established to celebrate talent and build a supportive literary community.
He explained that the idea emerged from his participation in several literary groups within and outside Nigeria, where he observed that many platforms focused more on competition than nurturing creativity.
“I noticed there was a gap. Instead of celebrating talents, many platforms compete. I decided to create a space that celebrates creativity and harnesses potentials by building a poetic community,” he said.
Osarenren noted that poetry remains an important component of literature in the school curriculum because it strengthens language skills and encourages deeper thinking among students.
“Beyond entertainment, the language and literary devices used in poetry help students develop critical thinking,” he said.
However, he expressed concern that many schools do not give adequate attention to creative arts, adding that only a few institutions actively support poetry and spoken word development among students.
According to him, Naija Poetry Fest aims to promote poetry as a viable creative industry while providing opportunities for young poets to learn, gain exposure and showcase their talents.
He added that the initiative is open to collaboration with schools, teachers and the Ministry of Education to help identify and nurture students with literary potential while positioning Nigerian poets for international recognition.
