By Ayo Onikoyi
Kaduna-born writer, painter, and cultural entrepreneur Suchet Baba has stressed the importance of Northern Nigeria telling its own stories through art, literature, and creative expression, saying authentic narratives are vital to preserving the region’s cultural identity and challenging long-held stereotypes.
Baba, who is the founder and festival director of Arts and Vibes, has built her work around amplifying underrepresented voices and creating platforms for young creatives across Northern Nigeria to share their experiences on their own terms.
According to her, the region’s stories are often overlooked, misrepresented, or filtered through external perspectives, making it essential for Northern artists and storytellers to take ownership of their narratives.
Driven by a commitment to reframe perceptions of Northern Nigeria, she uses contemporary art and storytelling to document, preserve, and reshape cultural identities while encouraging young people to explore creative expression beyond traditional and ethnographic boundaries.
