Open Mic Maiduguri: How Vic’Adex connected creatives in Nigeria’s Northeast

By Yahuza Bawage

The afternoon of October 30, 2021, saw Love Garden, one of the quiet corners in the University of Maiduguri (UNIMAID) campus in Maiduguri, Borno State, northeastern Nigeria, vibrating with energy. Over 40 creatives gathered, some settling into the red chairs already set out, others standing, lured by the gentle rustle of the leaves.

They had all come for an Open Mic event, put on by 60 Seconds Poetry, an initiative led by Nigerian poet and communications specialist, Adetimilehin Inioluwa Victor (Vic’Adex). This gathering was also a celebration of the sixth anniversary of Poets In Nigeria (PIN), an organisation that had played a key role in shaping Vic’Adex’s creative path.

Initially, Vic’Adex hoped the event would spark creative expression in a city where platforms for artists to share their work and connect had been hard to find. This was especially true in Borno State, where the Boko Haram insurgency made public gatherings seem risky.

Before that day, Vic’Adex had heard about UNIMAID students gathering informally to explore various art forms, from music and drama to literature. He also recalled a lecturer at the institution commemorating World Poetry Day in March 2021.

“It was more of a poetry reading than a spoken-word event. This means that most of the poets were great writers, but not great performers,” he noted, adding that the artistic energy in Maiduguri wasn’t quite as lively as what he had experienced in other parts of Nigeria.

Even with oral traditions, such as storytelling and poetic songs, Northern Nigeria often lacks formal spaces or institutional support for young, independent artists. In Borno, art faced challenges from displacement, conservative views, and ongoing instability from the insurgency.

These observations, along with his interactions with poets like Moses Abah, known as Oracle, and his participation in Oracle’s “Word Tour” event in Maiduguri and Yola, Adamawa State, truly inspired him. It was then that he decided to host an Open Mic in Maiduguri.

“I was done with my NYSC program in Maiduguri, and I wasn’t sure that people were going to show up at the open mic,” he recounted.

Despite the uncertainties, he still funded the Open Mic himself and proceeded to host it, drawing in poets and creativity enthusiasts.

Stepping onto the stage that afternoon, Vic’Adex’s warm smile welcomed the eager crowd. Soon, the stage came alive with a kaleidoscope of performances. Poets poured out verses of love, struggle, grief, and hope. Musicians delivered soulful melodies and powerful lyrics. Engaging drama skits drew laughter and reflection, while interactive creative games encouraged participation from everyone present.

“It was beautiful to see all the months leading up to it come to total fruition,” he noted, after watching how the Open Mic helped strengthen participants’ voices and renewed their confidence in pursuing their passion.

Joemario Umana, a creative with a deep appreciation for literature and the arts, discovered the Open Mic after Vic’Adex invited him to its WhatsApp community. The idea of a gathering for creatives immediately piqued his interest.

Umana remembers the rehearsals prior to the Open Mic as “fantastic, impactful, fun, and educative,” even though he only made it to one.

The Open Mic itself, he said, surpassed his expectations, allowing him to network and forge friendships with other creatives who have since become a great source of encouragement. “The feeling of family and belonging that the event provided is something I will never forget,” Umana stated.

To this day, he fondly remembers it as a happy place where everyone found two to three hours escape from their problems.

Similarly, Khadijah Jimeh, a creative writer new to Maiduguri at the time, learned about the Open Mic through a friend’s WhatsApp status. She was eager to meet other poets and quickly took an interest. For her, the event was a smooth and amazing experience.

“I met a lot of people there and we have built beautiful relationships over the years,” she recalled. Khadijah added that the Open Mic’s biggest impact on her creative journey was connecting her with individuals who pushed her forward and opened doors to numerous opportunities.

And one particular highlight for her was a captivating radio drama staged by Usman Abba Zanna and his team. “I enjoyed it,” Khadijah said. “I wish that one day I’m able to relive that moment.”

For Vic’Adex, seeing people show up, share, and connect at the Open Mic reinforced his belief that art could succeed in tough times and still unite people. This also fed his broader ambition of making art platforms accessible, boosting youth confidence, and inspiring cultural healing across Nigeria, a goal he pursues through initiatives like 60 Seconds Poetry and Open Mic Ogbomosho.

Meanwhile, the legacy of that Open Mic in Maiduguri lives on through its attendees. Khadijah, for example, has since helped organise the Borno Book and Art Festival (BOBAFEST) in 2024, while Umana also continues to succeed in his poetry publications, even serving as a judge for various poetry slam.

However, there has been a setback, said Vic’Adex.

“Staying consistent was the main issue as people weren’t able to keep hosting the Open Mic in Maiduguri,” he shared.

Notwithstanding, Vic’Adex envisions that such poetry gatherings could continue to be held more often in Borno due to their healing potential, especially from the trauma of the insurgency.

“For me, it wasn’t just about giving people a platform for creative expression. It was about bringing a cultural memory back to life,” Vic’Adex explained. “Even in a place marked by loss, we can still gather, find joy, and remind each other that we’re more than what we’ve been through.”

Vic’Adex continues to pursue avenues for helping people discover the healing power of art-and its role in strengthening emotional and intellectual capital, as well as human capital development.