Raymond Etifit

“In my nation, freedom of speech is allowed, but freedom after speech is not guaranteed.”

- Raymond Etifit

Raymond Etifit is a passionate creative artist, advocate, and founder of Bigstepaz Dance Academy in Nigeria — a platform where movement meets meaning. With his unique gift for using dance as a voice for the voiceless, Etifit turns real-life struggles into powerful performances that challenge injustice, inspire change, and speak truth to power.

“I have been a creative for 15 years, but I never knew I could use it to advocate for social issues affecting our society,” he explains. “This is until I embarked on a four week course earlier this year [2025] hosted by the Street Project Foundation. I was mentored, trained and empowered to use my creative art to be a voice to the voiceless on issues such as abuse of child domestic workers and the End SARS protest.”

He continues: “It was an awesome experience for me. Since I was also a child that passed through several abuses where nobody could speak up for me, I tend to seize this opportunity to use my art to speak up for those whose voices have been silenced.”

Through his creative direction Etifit champions social issues, in particular ending the abuse of child domestic workers, by using his art to educate and empower young people. Child domestic work is prevalent across Nigeria, where the International Labour Organization estimates that 24 million children work in exploitative conditions as child labourers. A survey by the UN entity revealed that roughly 14 million children in the nation participate in hazardous work — which includes domestic work — despite the existence of decades-old legislation that prohibits children from being subjected to forced or exploitative labour. 

Child domestic work exploits children all while exposing them to long working hours that strip them of their childood as well as the the possibility of physical and/or sexual violence.

“With one year of experience in advocacy and a background in performance, I am building a dynamic movement where youth can “rise, express, and lead through creative expression.” 

He also shares that his work focuses on speaking up for vulnerable children: “...especially child domestic workers who suffer in silence” he emphasises. “Through my dance art and storytelling, I shine a light on abuse, injustice, and neglect that many choose to ignore." 

The work he does further touches on children's rights and protection, education and awareness, mental and emotional healing, social justice, and empowering youth voices.

Etifit notes that the repression of civic space in Nigeria has affected many young people whose voices have been silenced. “In my nation, freedom of speech is allowed, but freedom after speech is not guaranteed,” he explains. “I can remember 20 Oct. 2020 when we all went out for a peaceful protest against the brutality of police, and their harassment of young people. It was a peaceful protest until the army was ordered to start shooting at us. It was an awful experience, and some of our friends and families lost their loved ones.” 

Such repression has birthed creative defiance in the youth-populated country. “This is the nation I live in, where young people are being oppressed for speaking up on issues affecting them, but not relenting,” he told us. “I now have a better way of speaking up without using my voice and that's where my dance and art come in.”

Etifit himself has experienced intimidation and physical violence on several occasions due to cases concerning the abuse of child domestic workers. He persists despite the hardship, noting: “I always feel fulfilled even after these incidents, because I was able to speak up for these children, and their guardians become sensitised and educated in that moment. That's a big win for me, because the goal is to make sure that no child domestic worker is abused.”

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. Etifit explains that through powerful movements, poetry, and visual storytelling, the piece highlights the silent struggles of children burdened with adult responsibilities and denied their basic rights. The piece is also based on a true life story.

“It follows the emotional journey from pain to near hopelessness, and finally, to a moment of rescue. Reminding us all that protection is not a privilege but a collective duty. This performance is a call to see, to feel, and to act — if you see something, say something.” 

He concludes: "I am not just dancing, but raising a generation of voices through every step."

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