Nigerian spoken-word poet Ibukunoluwa Aramide Ajagbe, popularly known as IB Quake, took the international stage at the opening ceremony of the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal, delivering a performance that celebrated African identity, heritage and the aspirations of the continent’s younger generation, as reported by Pulse. Held on October 31 at the Stade Abdoulaye Wade in Diamniadio, the ceremony marked the first time an Olympic sporting event had been hosted on African soil. IB Quake was among more than 1,100 performers selected to contribute to the cultural showcase, representing Nigeria alongside leading artists from across the continent. Her appearance placed African spoken-word poetry within one of the most significant cultural moments in the Olympic movement’s history.
Her performance formed part of a wider artistic production inspired by Senegal’s tradition of Teranga, or hospitality, and structured around a narrative connecting Africa’s past, present and future. Through spoken word, IB Quake delivered verses reflecting the continent’s diversity, collective identity and possibilities for its next generation. She shared the stage with Senegalese music icons Baaba Maal and Kiné Lam, hip-hop group Daara J Family, and Gambian kora musician Sona Jobarteh. The ceremony also featured traditional dance, wrestling, percussion, contemporary music and visual arts, bringing together different expressions of African creativity in a production involving 628 dancers and nearly 1,500 costumes.
IB Quake’s participation offered another international platform for Nigeria’s growing spoken-word and creative arts scene, demonstrating the ability of African literary performance to connect with global audiences beyond conventional music and entertainment. The Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, running from October 31 to November 13, have brought together approximately 2,650 young athletes from 204 National Olympic Committees and the Youth Refugee Olympic Team. Beyond the sporting competition, the event is providing a platform for African culture, talent and creative expression to command global attention, with IB Quake’s performance among the contributions showcasing the continent’s artistic depth.
