Nike Okundaye, Lai Mohammed, and other industry leaders were honoured at the 2026 Eko Vanguard International Summit and Awards for promoting Nigeria’s creative economy

Founder of Nike Art Galleries, Chief Nike Okundaye, has been honoured at the 2026 Eko Vanguard International Summit and Awards (E-VISA) for her contributions to Nigeria’s creative industries.

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The annual event celebrates key players in culture, tourism, and the creative economy, highlighting their role in job creation and cultural preservation.

Okundaye was recognised alongside industry leaders including Group General Manager of Continental Hotels Nigeria, Karl Hala, and Director of Sales & Marketing at Eko Hotels and Suites, Iyadunni Gbadebo.

E-VISA, powered by the Erelu Yeye Odua Foundation in partnership with the Eko Tourism Foundation and X-Media Group, is designed to promote Lagos as a hub for culture, tourism, and global investment.

Chairman of the summit, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, said Nigeria’s creative sector remains a key driver of economic growth and employment.

He noted that the industry has shown resilience and potential, especially in Lagos, which he described as the heart of Nigeria’s cultural economy.

“The creative ecosystem is not only vibrant but economically significant,” he said, adding that culture, tourism, and entertainment must be supported through stronger public-private partnerships.

HRH Abiola Dosumu, Erelu Kuti IV of Lagos, praised Okundaye for promoting Nigerian textile art globally, particularly Adire, describing her work as impactful in preserving cultural heritage.

Other stakeholders at the event called for stronger collaboration, better infrastructure, and improved investment in tourism and the creative economy to unlock Nigeria’s full potential.

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Speakers emphasised that Nigeria’s cultural diversity, large youth population, and growing creative industry position it as a major global player if properly structured and supported.