On February 22, 2025, a celebration with a Nollywood theme sent students back in time in the Commencement Hall lobby at the American University of Nigeria (AUN). The event, which was organized by the Speakers and Art (SPARK) committee in the Campus Activities Board (CAB) as a celebration of traditional Nigerian movies and culture, attracted a vibrant audience dressed in vintage attire, with 20th-century music creating a nostalgic atmosphere.
The event was inspired by a failed Y2K-themed party effort that served as the inspiration. "When I was a fresher, CAB attempted doing a Y2K party, but the event flopped. Just a few people showed up, and it was sad to see because I was really excited to dress up and attend," said Benice Taylor, a senior majoring in International and Comparative Politics and one of the event organizers.
Students dressed in retro blouses, jeans, skirts, shorts, and heels, all of which were reminiscent of Nollywood's era, in keeping with the theme. Several attendees styled their looks to resemble well-known movie characters from the 20th century, demonstrating the impact of fashion trends of the time.
A playlist of iconic Nollywood soundtracks, Afrobeat, and highlife music added a unique touch to the celebration and further improved the atmosphere. "We promoted the event by sending out catchy posters and accepting Afrobeat playlist recommendations from students," Taylor explained. "We also shot promotional videos for CAB’s TikTok account, strictly using old Nollywood/Y2K-themed memes and recreating scenes."
Attendees enjoyed refreshments that honored traditional Nigerian street food to go along with the nostalgic mood. Suya, a popular spicy grilled meat, and Capri-Sonne, a popular juice drink that brought back childhood memories for many, were enjoyed by the guests.
The event was successful in uniting students in a lively and historically diverse environment. The Nollywood-themed party showed the ongoing impact of Nigerian movies and culture with its large attendance and lively atmosphere, leaving students excited for more themed events in the future.
Reported by Tirzah Phillips
Work-study student