Hafsat Abdullahi, popularly known as Havfy, is a Nigerian spoken word artist, writer, actor, voice actor and youth advocate who has built a reputation for using poetry to address social issues affecting women, girls and young people. Through her performances, she has become one of Africa's most recognisable spoken word artists, using her platform to promote education, gender equality, peacebuilding and social justice.
Born and raised in northern Nigeria, Havfy's upbringing played a significant role in shaping her work. Growing up in a community where opportunities for girls were limited, she witnessed issues such as gender inequality, child marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM) and barriers to education. These experiences inspired her to begin writing poetry that challenges harmful social norms and advocates for the rights of women and girls. She has often cited Nigerian poet Niyi Osundare as one of the people who inspired her journey into poetry.
Although she had been active in literary circles for several years, Havfy came into the spotlight after her spoken word performance during UNICEF's campaign to end Female Genital Mutilation in 2022. According to her, the emotional response to that performance, which moved many audience members to tears and inspired renewed commitments to the campaign, made her realise the impact poetry could have in influencing social change.
Before then, she had already established herself as a talented poet by winning several literary competitions. Her achievements include winning the Nigerian Festival of Teen Artists (NIFESTEENA) in 2017, the Abuja Literary Society Grand Slam, the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA) Poetry Slam, the Benue Book and Arts Festival Poetry Slam, and the World Bank's Youth Act on Education contest. She was also a Top Six finalist at the Lacasera Spoken Wars competition.
Havfy's work has earned her opportunities to perform and speak on major national and international platforms. She has collaborated with organisations including UNICEF, the World Bank, TEDx, the British Council, LEAP Africa, the Embassy of France in Nigeria, the International Women Society, UNFPA and the United Nations Security Council. She has also partnered with brands such as Sterling Bank, Mavin Records, CFAO, Lacasera and Three Crowns Milk.
Her growing influence has also been recognised internationally. In 2025, Havfy was selected as one of the United Nations Young Leaders for the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), joining a small group of young leaders chosen from thousands of applicants worldwide for their contributions to sustainable development. She also serves as a Global Youth Leader for Education with the Global Partnership for Education, where she advocates for improved access to quality education and youth inclusion in education policy discussions.
Beyond poetry, Havfy is a member of the Recording Academy (GRAMMYs), where she joins other music professionals in supporting the global creative industry. She has also served as an Anti-Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Ambassador and continues to use her influence to promote youth development and women's empowerment.
Over the years, her work has been featured by several media organisations and publications, including Daily Trust, Leadership, UNICEF, the World Bank, TEDx Maitama, The Icon Magazine, PopCentral TV and Cool FM, reflecting the growing recognition of her contributions to both the creative and development sectors.
Hafsat "Havfy" Abdullahi is our African Giant of the Week because she has shown that spoken word poetry can be more than a form of artistic expression. By combining creativity with advocacy, she has amplified important conversations on education, gender equality and youth empowerment while representing Nigeria and Africa on some of the world's most respected platforms. Her journey continues to inspire young Africans to use their talents as tools for positive change.
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