Culture

Coronation Gallery Benin bronzes return marks historic cultural restoration

Published

1 year ago

June 23, 2025

Coronation Gallery Benin Bronzes Return marks Nigeria’s largest cultural repatriation, celebrating heritage, identity, and public access to lost treasures

Coronation Gallery Benin Bronzes Return represents a landmark moment in the restitution of Africa’s looted heritage, as Coronation Group partners with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments to establish a permanent home for 119 repatriated artefacts in Benin City.

Also read: Nigeria receives 119 Benin bronzes from Netherlands in major restitution move

The gallery, located within the new NCMM Oba Ovonramwen Facility, will showcase bronzes returned from the Netherlands, marking the largest single repatriation since the 1897 British punitive expedition.

The announcement was made during a signing and handover ceremony at the National Museum in Lagos on 21 June 2025. Among the dignitaries present were the Honourable Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa; Princess Iku Eware-Aimiuwu, daughter of the Oba of Benin; and Dewi van de Weerd, Dutch Ambassador for Cultural Cooperation. Executives from the Wereld Museum, the NCMM and Coronation Group were also in attendance.

The Coronation Gallery is set to open to the public later this year, providing a state-of-the-art facility for the conservation, education and display of the returned works.

It is designed not only as a space for viewing but also as a centre for learning and engagement, encouraging dialogue about heritage, history and restitution.

Speaking on the collaboration, Chairman of Coronation Group Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede expressed deep pride in supporting the return of the artworks.

“Far beyond their artistic value, these works represent the depth of our heritage and the strength of our collective identity. Their return marks a powerful restoration of history – a reminder of the dignity, creative excellence, and craftsmanship that have long defined us as a people,” he said.

Director-General of NCMM, Olugbile Holloway, praised the role of the private sector in cultural preservation. He thanked Coronation Group for its continued support, emphasising the impact of public-private partnerships in advancing the nation’s heritage sector.

This partnership is part of Coronation Group’s broader commitment to the arts. In addition to the Benin project, the group is working with Tate in the United Kingdom to present “Nigerian Modernism” – the first major exhibition tracing the evolution of modern art in Nigeria.

Both projects aim to enhance access to African art and strengthen Nigeria’s global cultural footprint.

Coronation Group, headquartered in Lagos and regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission, delivers long-term financial solutions through asset management, merchant banking, insurance and technology.

With its deep roots in African investment and stewardship, the group continues to support legacy-building projects that preserve culture and advance prosperity across the continent.

Also read: Netherlands to return 119 looted Benin bronzes to Nigeria in June

The Coronation Gallery will stand as a symbol of renewal and reconciliation, offering Nigerians and the world an opportunity to reconnect with stolen treasures and to honour the history they represent.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

2 weeks ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”