L-R: Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman, Access Holdings Plc and Coronation Group; Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede, Co-Founder, Aig-Imoukhuede Foundation; and Ben Okri, Nigerian-born British Artist and Poet, at the celebration of the Nigerian Modernism legacy at Tate Modern in London, United Kingdom…Wednesday
Abayomi Susan
Access Holdings Plc and Coronation Group hosted an exclusive reception at Tate Modern in London to celebrate the remarkable success and enduring legacy of Nigerian Modernism, one of the most significant exhibitions of African art presented by the renowned institution in recent years.
Held in partnership with Tate Modern from October 10, 2025, to May 8, 2026, the exhibition showcased nearly 300 works by more than 50 pioneering artists, spanning five decades of Nigerian artistic expression. Featuring paintings, sculptures, textiles, ceramics, and works on paper, the exhibition traced the evolution of Nigerian modern art from the 1940s through the post-independence era, offering compelling insights into the political, social, and cultural forces that shaped modern African artistic identity.
Over the course of its seven-month run, Nigerian Modernism attracted more than 180,000 visitors, while its influence extended well beyond the gallery through widespread international media coverage, digital engagement, educational programmes, and scholarly discourse that introduced hundreds of millions of people worldwide to the richness and diversity of Nigerian modern art.
Beyond its critical and commercial success, the exhibition played a transformative role in expanding access to African art. It created meaningful opportunities for young people, students, and members of the African diaspora to engage directly with Nigeria’s artistic heritage at one of the world’s foremost cultural institutions, fostering a deeper appreciation of African creativity, history, and identity.
The commemorative reception brought together distinguished leaders from business, diplomacy, academia, the creative industries, and the arts to celebrate the exhibition’s global impact and its contribution to advancing cultural dialogue.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of Access Holdings and Coronation Group, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, reflected on what he described as one of the exhibition’s most enduring achievements—its impact on the next generation.
“One of the aspects of this exhibition that stands out most for me is the opportunity we created for nearly 2,800 students, many of them of African heritage, to experience Tate Modern. While their encounters with the artworks could not be formally documented, the feedback we received spoke volumes. For many of these young people, the exhibition inspired a deeper appreciation of their heritage, reinforcing their sense of identity and pride in their African roots.”
Aig-Imoukhuede also highlighted the exhibition’s broader significance as a platform for cultural diplomacy and national storytelling.
“I have long believed that great nations are built at the intersection of financial, knowledge and cultural capital. Of these, cultural capital is often the force that brings everything else together. We saw a powerful example of that when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu chose to include a private tour of Nigerian Modernism during his historic visit to London, alongside the thousands of Nigerians in the diaspora who came out to welcome him. It was a remarkable moment that demonstrated the unique role culture can play in strengthening national identity, global engagement and diplomacy.”
Interim Director of Tate Modern, Karin Hinsbo, praised the exhibition’s unprecedented scope and acknowledged the pivotal role played by Access Holdings and Coronation Group in bringing the landmark project to life.
“Nigerian Modernism captivated hundreds of thousands of visitors. It was a story that had never been told in a UK gallery—an international network of 50 artists across five decades, bringing together African and European traditions to create a powerful artistic legacy through more than 250 exceptional works, including paintings, sculpture, textiles, ceramics, and works on paper. None of this would have been possible without the partnership, generosity and commitment of Access Holdings and Coronation Group.”
Widely acclaimed by critics and scholars, Nigerian Modernism challenged long-standing art historical narratives by firmly positioning Nigerian artists within the global history of twentieth-century modernism. The exhibition also featured an extensive public engagement programme, including lectures, guided tours, educational workshops, and academic conversations designed to deepen understanding of African art, identity, and cultural history.
Among the exhibition’s defining highlights was the presentation of seven historic wooden sculptures by renowned Nigerian artist Ben Enwonwu, originally commissioned in 1960 for the Daily Mirror in London and now housed within the Access Holdings Art Collection. Their inclusion underscored the importance of preserving Africa’s artistic heritage while demonstrating the value of institutional collaboration in safeguarding culturally significant works.
Guests at the reception reflected on the exhibition’s enduring legacy as a landmark achievement in African cultural representation. Beyond introducing Nigerian modern art to new international audiences, the exhibition strengthened global partnerships, expanded academic scholarship on African modernism, and reinforced the role of art as a powerful instrument for dialogue, education, and cultural exchange.
Although the exhibition has officially concluded, its impact continues to resonate across the international arts community. Nigerian Modernism remains a defining moment in contemporary museum practice, inspiring ongoing conversations around African creativity, heritage, modern identity, and the growing importance of cultural diplomacy in shaping global understanding.
