How Dance Becomes Resistance in Nigeria | Emerging Creatives Program

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22 december 2025

Raymond Etifit is a Nigerian creative artist, advocate, and founder of Bigstepaz Dance Academy, using dance as a voice for the voiceless. Through powerful movement and storytelling, he transforms real-life struggles into performances that challenge injustice and inspire social change.

After completing a four-week mentorship with the Street Project Foundation in 2025, Etifit began using his art to advocate for social issues affecting Nigeria — including the abuse of child domestic workers and the legacy of the End SARS protests. His work draws from lived experience, civic repression, and a deep commitment to children’s rights and youth empowerment.

For the Emerging Creative Program Etifit performed a piece called ‘The rope and the rescue’. The moving dance-art performance expresses the narrative of a child domestic worker trapped in the cycle of abuse, neglect, and emotional pain.

Despite intimidation and physical violence, Etifit continues to speak up through his art. His performances educate communities, empower young people, and shine a light on abuse, injustice, and neglect that many choose to ignore.

“I am not just dancing, but raising a generation of voices through every step.”

Video captured by: Emmanuel Ighogboja
Follow @RaymondEtifit50 on Instagram
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