Skateboarding communities across the globe have historically fostered youthful defiance and radical subcultures, and in Africa, things are no different. While Ethiopia has Ethiopia Skate, Ghana has Surf Ghana and Uganda has the Ugandan Skateboard Society, Nigeria lays claim to Wafflesncream (also known as Waf.), which has become one of the most prolific skate collectives on the continent. Co-founded by brothers Jomi and Nifemi Marcus-Bello alongside their friend KC Obijiakwu, Waf. birthed Nigeria’s first-ever skate crew in 2012. In a country where skate culture was virtually non-existent and thus, quite unconventional, Waf. naturally attracted young people on the social outskirts, from cultural misfits to queer people to alternative music and fashion enthusiasts.

It has since become a nexus for creative expression in Nigeria and a critical part of Lagos’ cultural ecosystem. They have collaborated with the likes of afrobeats artist Victony, veteran illustrator Lemi Ghariokwu (the man behind 26 of Fela Kuti’s album covers), and Alára, the Lagos concept store and cultural institution. And extending beyond the streets and into the realm of fashion, their clothing line is now an indispensable component of the streetwear world with items like their signature bucket hat and ankara trousers becoming synonymous with Lagos cool.

What’s more, Waf. has no doubt laid the foundations of a Nigerian skateboarding culture that has paved the way for more skate initiatives. In 2021, for example, resident Waf. member Blessing Ewona founded Dencity, a femme and queer response to the heavily male-dominated Lagos skating scene. Waf. has fulfilled its core mission of offering a generation of young people both community and the infrastructure to pursue livelihoods in the skating world. And now, they have officially taken this mission up a notch by building their very own skatepark in Lagos.

This plan was years in the making, born out of a desire to create a state-of-the-art facility for skaters to convene in the city. It’s symbolicically situated in Lagos’ Freedom Park, a colonial-era prison ground in Lagos Island that has transformed into a cultural staple having hosted pivotal arts events such as Lagos International Poetry Festival and Felabration. While its popularity waned slightly following the pandemic, the addition of a skatepark, inviting young skaters and creatives alike to express themselves without inhibition, holds the promise of reigniting the park’s creative fire. The skatepark was developed through the joint efforts of Lagos architectural firm Studio Contra, nonprofits Wonders Around the World, Salad Days of Skateboarding, and Concrete Jungle Foundation; and Cape Town skate organisation wheretofromhere. And this March, after months of building and securing donations, it officially opened its doors to the public, revealing Nigeria’s very first Olympic-standard skatepark.

The Waf. SkatePark launched in grand style in collaboration with Spotify Africa, Power Horse, and Lagos cocktail company Quacktails. Nigerian music mainstays DJ Spinall and Odunsi the Engine took to the stage, as well as resident Waf. DJs such as Olootú. The daring skated and bruised their knees, onlookers danced and drank, and everyone - from the music executives to the artists to the skateboarders – entered into the spirit of belonging. “I had an amazing time,” remarks Dencity member Precious Obi. “I can’t wait to see how the skatepark continues to bring people together, within Dencity and the skating community as a whole. It’s more than just a place to skate - it’s a hub of creativity, friendship, and shared experiences.”

Uwana Anthony Churchy, Waf.’s sports director and filmmaker, seconds Precious’ sentiments. “The vision was to create a safe space for youths and push the skateboarding culture in Africa as a whole,” he says. “It’s taken consistent work and putting our heads together to bring this to life. My hope now is to see as many people skating as possible, so that the sport is no longer seen as underground. I hope that Nigeria begins to understand and embody the art of skateboarding. Because if more people have access to skateboarding, they have access to bigger opportunities. It could take a lot of people out of the streets. The skatepark is gonna be around for a while, so everyone should just drink it in.”

If the skatepark’s opening night was any indicator, the Waf. team’s dream has become a reality. Open daily, it offers lessons to beginner skaters as well as welcoming inline skaters, BMXers and scooter riders to enjoy the ride. With the Waf. SkatePark, the collective has created a cultural legacy whose reverberations will be felt throughout a generation of Nigerian youth, offering indisputable evidence that for African kids, just about anything is possible.