Exhibition showcasing rare collection of currencies opens at UI’s African Art Museum
By Ibukun Emiola
An exhibition showcasing a rare collection of currencies has opened at the Cornelius Adepegba Museum of African Art, Institute of African Studies, University of Ibadan.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exhibition tagged “An Exhibition of Dele T. Fawole Numismatic Collection” showcased works of over 30 decades.
NAN reports that the collection, owned by exhibitor Dele Fawole, features currencies from various countries, including historic notes and coins that reflect economic transitions such as redenominations and devaluations.
Fawole said the exhibition was borne from a private passion for collecting currencies during his travels, with over 80 per cent of the items collected personally.
He stated that the idea to publicly exhibit the collection came from Prof. Ohioma Pogoson, Honorary Curator of the Museum.
“When people visit any household, you know, you give them photographic albums.
“So, I used to give them my albums of my various currency notes.
“It was Prof. Pogoson who suggested that it deserved a public showing, and we eventually decided to make it happen,” he said.
Fawole credited the Institute for supporting the exhibition, which he described as a successful outcome of a long-considered idea, a collection of over 30 years.
Also, Pogoson said that putting the exhibition together was a novel experience, being his first time curating a display of flat but three-dimensional materials.
According to him, despite challenges including funding and display logistics, he said the result had been rewarding.
He emphasised that the exhibition goes beyond economics, noting that currencies also embody art, culture and history.
Pogoson said that many of the designs on currencies are created by artists and reflect national identity and aesthetics.
The curator added that the exhibition has educational value, especially for younger audiences and students.
“Many of whom had never seen some of the featured currencies such as high-value Zimbabwean notes or Biafran currency from the Nigerian civil war era.
Director of the Institute, Prof. Sola Olorunyomi, described the exhibition as a multidisciplinary showcase, attracting attention from political scientists, artists, architects and students.
He said the display resonated with the Institute’s core mandate by blending history, politics, art and education in one experience.
Olorunyomi expressed satisfaction with the audience reception, noting that the most viewed items were the 50 billion Zimbabweans note and the Biafran currency—symbols of significant economic and political history.
He commended the curator’s effort and the coincidence of the exhibition’s timing with the resumption of students, which, he said, had helped fire the imagination of the academic community.
Olorunyomi also revealed that the exhibition marks the launch of a new salon space within the museum, enhancing the Institute’s capacity to engage with the public and promote African studies through innovative displays.
Also, a Professor at the Institute of African Studies, Senayon Olaoluwa, lauded the dynamism of the exhibition at the institute from bronze to metal works, to numismatic collection with Industrial Arts Exhibition to follow.
Edited by Bayo Sekoni
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