Ecobank Nigeria has announced its latest investment in cultural advancement with an art exhibition celebrating the creativity and legacies of some of Nigeria’s most acclaimed artists.
The exhibition, titled Enduring Legacy: A Collector’s Tribute to Masters, opened on Saturday, August 30, and runs until September 21 at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC), Victoria Island, Lagos.
Speaking about the initiative, Mrs Omoboye Odu, Head of SMEs at Ecobank Nigeria, said the project underscores the bank’s dedication to promoting African creativity and heritage while strengthening the creative economy.
“This exhibition is more than an event; it is a love project. It demonstrates Ecobank’s role not only as a financial institution but also as a patron of African art and cultural excellence,” Odu said.
She explained that the exhibition, organised in partnership with Artcada Gallery, Krabhouse Gallery, and EPAC Studios, would feature works from iconic artists including Bruce Onobrakpeya, Kolade Oshinowo, Jimoh Buraimoh, Muraina Oyelami, and Moses Umukoro.
According to Odu, the bank’s cultural projects are closely aligned with its corporate social responsibility goals of economic empowerment and cultural preservation.
“We have consistently promoted Nigerian creativity through previous events such as Achebe in Lagos, the +234 Art Fair, and Oja Oge, which showcased emerging artists, fashion designers, and small businesses.
“This exhibition continues that journey of projecting Nigeria’s talents to the world,” she added.
Odu further revealed that more than 700 works of art will be displayed, offering art lovers, collectors, scholars, and cultural custodians a rare opportunity to immerse themselves in Nigeria’s artistic heritage.
Curator Adekepemi Aderemi of Artcada Gallery described the showcase as a tribute to Nigerian masters whose works have safeguarded the nation’s cultural legacy across generations.
She said the exhibition includes rare pieces from a private archive of nearly 30,000 works, some dating back to 1864, reflecting the development of Nigerian modern and contemporary art.
Aderemi commended Ecobank for supporting cultural preservation and said the initiative reaffirms art’s value as both an economic driver and a keeper of identity.
Krabhouse Gallery CEO, Andrew Ine, observed that Nigerian art remains undervalued despite its global promise. He estimated that the sector could realistically account for 30 per cent of the $62 billion African art market if given proper recognition.
He stressed that exhibitions and cultural programming are critical to unlocking that value.
“In other countries, people take time off simply to enjoy exhibitions because it brings spiritual fulfilment. That is where we are headed in Nigeria, towards a cultural awakening about the value of art,” Ine said.
He pointed to the surge of new galleries in Lagos as evidence of a growing appreciation for art as both a cultural treasure and an economic resource.
Ine added that passion for art must be balanced with economic realities, noting that strengthening Nigeria’s art ecosystem will demand resilience, foresight, and partnerships that sustain artists and their families.