By Taiye Olayemi

 

 

 

Ecobank Nigeria says it is deepening its commitment to cultural development with the hosting of an art exhibition that celebrates the creativity and legacies of Nigeria’s most revered artists.

 

 

 

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exhibition, titled “Enduring Legacy: A Collector’s Tribute to Masters”, which began on Saturday will run for three weeks at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC), Victoria Island, Lagos.

 

 

 

Speaking on the initiative, Mrs Omoboye Odu, Head of SMEs, Ecobank Nigeria, said the project reflects the bank’s dedication to supporting African creativity and heritage while empowering the creative economy.

 

 

 

“This exhibition is more than an event; it is a love project. It demonstrates Ecobank’s role not just as a financial institution but as a patron of African art and cultural excellence,” Odu said.

 

 

 

She noted that the exhibition, organised in partnership with Artcada Gallery, Krabhouse Gallery, and EPAC Studios, would feature works by masters such as Bruce Onobrakpeya, Kolade Oshinowo, Jimoh Buraimoh, Muraina Oyelami, and Moses Umukoro.

 

 

 

According to her, the bank’s cultural initiatives align with its corporate social responsibility focus on economic empowerment and cultural preservation.

 

 

 

“We have consistently promoted Nigerian creativity through past events such as Achebe in Lagos, the +234 Art Fair, and Oja Oge, which spotlighted young artists, fashion designers, and SMEs.

 

 

 

“This exhibition continues that journey of projecting Nigeria’s talents to the world,” she added.

 

 

 

Odu explained that more than 700 works of art would be displayed, offering art lovers, collectors, scholars, and cultural custodians an opportunity to experience Nigeria’s rich artistic heritage.

 

 

 

The curator of the exhibition, Adekepemi Aderemi of Artcada Gallery, described the showcase as a tribute to Nigeria’s revered masters whose works had preserved the nation’s heritage across generations.

 

 

 

She said the exhibition features rare pieces from a private archive of nearly 30,000 works, some dating back to 1864, highlighting the evolution of Nigerian modern and contemporary art.

 

 

 

Aderemi commended the bank for supporting cultural preservation, stressing that the initiative reinforces art’s value as both an economic driver and a custodian of identity.

 

 

 

The Chief Executive Officer of Krabhouse Gallery, Andrew Ine, said Nigerian art remains significantly undervalued despite its global potential.

 

 

 

He noted that the sector could conservatively be worth 30 per cent of the 62 billion dollar African art market if given proper visibility.

 

 

 

He stressed that exhibitions and cultural events were crucial to unlocking that value.

 

 

 

“In other countries, people take time off just to enjoy exhibitions because it brings spiritual fulfillment.

 

 

 

“That is where we are headed in Nigeria, a cultural awakening about the value of art,” Ine said.

 

 

 

According to him, the proliferation of new galleries in Lagos reflects a growing appreciation of art as both a cultural and economic asset.

 

 

 

He added that passion for art must be balanced with economic realities, noting that building the Nigerian art economy requires resilience, vision, and partnerships that sustain artists and their families. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)

 

Edited by Olawunmi Ashafa

Published By

Folashade Adeniran

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