Culture

Lagos State Government Promotes Arts, Nurtures Talent

Published

10 months ago

November 2, 2025

Lagos State Government promotes arts and nurtures young creative talent through the Eko Arts and Crafts Competition, awarding scholarships to winners

Lagos State Government promotes arts and cultural excellence, reaffirming its commitment to nurturing young creative talents through initiatives that inspire innovation and preserve heritage.

Also read: Design Week Lagos 2025 Celebrates African Creativity

The government restated this commitment in a statement by the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture spokesperson, Adeoti Sobowale, following the conclusion of the maiden Eko Arts and Crafts Competition for secondary and tertiary students in the state.

The competition, themed “My Lagos, My Arts,” celebrated creativity and cultural expression among Lagos youths, culminating in nine outstanding students winning one-year scholarship awards.

Organised by the ministry through the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Damilola Ayinde-Marshal, the event attracted 153 entries and was held at the Adeyemi Bero Auditorium, Alausa, Ikeja.

Chairman of the House Committee on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Solomon Bonu, praised the initiative, calling it “a visionary step towards cultivating the next generation of creative Lagosians.”

“This is a brilliant and forward-looking project that deserves continuity,” he said. “I will personally advocate at the House of Assembly to ensure it receives adequate funding and support.”

Representing the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Adebopo Oyekan-Ismaila, the Director of Administration and Human Resource, Taoreed Dosunmu, commended the students’ creativity and lauded the dedication of teachers, parents, and judges.

“To our students, your artistry is inspiring. To our teachers, parents, and mentors, thank you for believing in these young minds. And to Mr Governor, we express deep gratitude for his unwavering support for arts and culture in Lagos State,” he said.

At the competition’s launch in September, Ayinde-Marshal explained that the project sought to discover, nurture, and showcase the artistic potential of young Lagosians while fostering innovation and entrepreneurship within the creative industry.

“Art is more than just aesthetics. It is storytelling, heritage preservation, and a mirror of society. Through this competition, our young people will have the opportunity to express their thoughts, aspirations, and ideas while safeguarding the cultural wealth of Lagos State,” she said.

Also read: Lagos Ministry Backs Eko Fiesta Cultural Showcase

The initiative marks a powerful statement of intent by the Lagos State Government, reinforcing its role as a driving force in building a thriving creative economy for the future.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

1 week 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.

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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.”