By Kede Aihie and Lanre Sonde
When you talk about Nigerian poetry that burns with fire yet soothes with softness, one name effortlessly rises to the lips Godson Osarenren. The award-winning poet, novelist, and Convener of Naija Poetry Fest has once again lifted the flag of Nigerian literature high with his latest international exhibition, “I See Hope".
Hosted in London under the theme “Vibrant Threads of Nigeria: 65 Years of Artistic Celebration,” the event offered lovers of culture a rare window into the soul of contemporary Nigerian art. Through his words, Godson reminded the world that poetry is not mere performance it is prophecy, a living voice echoing the resilience and spirit of a nation.
At the heart of the exhibition were the stirring final lines of his titular poem:
O Nigeria,
You move like the tortoise,
Slow, scarred, but never broken.
Each step forward is a whisper of promise,
Each dawn is a reminder of possibility.”
Those lines performed with depth, restraint, and conviction drew the audience into a collective silence. For many, it was more than verse; it was testimony. A reminder that even in the face of turmoil, the Nigerian spirit remains unyielding.
Beyond the shores of Nigeria, Godson Osarenren has become one of the continent’s strongest literary ambassadors. In Port Harcourt, Lagos, London, Geneva, his voice continues to assert that African literature is not a local relic but a global heritage. At the Lambeth Archives in London, where his poetry stood alongside the works of painters, sculptors, and historians, his words created their own visual symphony, a canvas alive with memory, identity, and vision.
Back home, Godson’s influence runs deep. As the founder of Naija Poetry Fest, he has nurtured a growing movement of young poets and spoken-word performers. He co-organized Battle of Stanzas, a poetic renaissance that electrified Benin City in August 2025, and he continues to champion creative voices through his monthly program Poetic Rendezvous, hosted at prestigious venues such as Alliance Française Lagos (Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi) and American Corner Lekki.
Through these platforms, he is building more than poetry circles he is constructing bridges for expression, giving young Nigerians a reason to believe their words matter.
The London edition of “I See Hope” was also part of Black History Month, a fitting celebration of Nigeria’s artistic contribution to global Black culture. Amid the colors of vibrant paintings and the textures of intricate sculptures, Godson’s poetry became the thread that stitched every piece together reminding all present that hope is not naive optimism, but a brave act of endurance.
In a world often shadowed by doubt, “I See Hope” rings like a bell clear, defiant, and full of faith. It speaks to a Nigeria that, though scarred, refuses to surrender. Each poem, each line, is a quiet revolution; each dawn, a new possibility.
Godson Osarenren stands today as one of Nigeria’s literary vanguards, a poet whose voice carries both the weight of history and the light of tomorrow. As his words travel beyond borders, one truth becomes clear: Nigerian literature is not merely surviving. It is thriving, singing boldly on the world stage.