LONDON, UK. July 3, 2026. An exclusive event hosted by Access Holdings Plc and Coronation Group at Tate Modern brought together distinguished guests to celebrate the lasting success of Nigerian Modernism. The evening recognised an exhibition that introduced international audiences to the richness and diversity of Nigeria’s modern artistic heritage while reinforcing its place within global art history.
Developed in partnership with Tate Modern, the exhibition ran from October 10, 2025, to May 8, 2026, presenting nearly 300 works created by more than 50 artists. Through sculpture, painting, textiles, ceramics and works on paper, visitors explored the emergence and growth of Nigerian modernism across five decades.
More than 180,000 people visited the exhibition, while millions more engaged with its story through media coverage, educational initiatives, digital platforms and academic discussion across the globe.
The exhibition also widened access to African art by inspiring young audiences and members of the African diaspora to connect with African heritage, creativity and artistic excellence in an internationally recognised cultural institution.
The event assembled respected voices from business, diplomacy, academia and the creative industries in recognition of the exhibition’s significance and worldwide impact.
In his remarks, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman of
Access Holdings and
Coronation Group, reflected on what he described as one of the exhibition’s most enduring achievements: its impact on young people.
“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 further underscored the exhibition’s broader diplomatic importance.
“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.”
Karin Hinsbo, Interim Director of Tate Modern, emphasised the significance of the exhibition and the strength of the partnership behind it.
“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 50 years, combining African and European traditions to create a powerful artistic legacy through 250 glorious works made up of painting, 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.”
The exhibition was widely recognised for challenging established art historical narratives by positioning Nigerian artists firmly within the global story of twentieth-century modernism. It also delivered extensive public programming, including lectures, tours and educational initiatives designed to deepen engagement with African art and identity.
A defining highlight of the exhibition was the inclusion of seven historic wooden sculptures by Ben Enwonwu, originally commissioned in 1960 for the Daily Mirror in London and now part of the Access Holdings Art Collection, underscoring the importance of cultural stewardship and cross-institutional collaboration.
Attendees reflected on the exhibition’s enduring legacy as a cultural milestone that expanded scholarship on African modernism, strengthened international partnerships and introduced Nigerian art to new global audiences. Although the exhibition has concluded, its influence continues to shape conversations around African creativity, heritage, modern identity and cultural diplomacy, reinforcing its position as a landmark moment in contemporary museum practice.
