Nigeria has confirmed it will return to the International Art Exhibition – La Biennale di Venezia in 2028, with the Federal Government announcing the appointment of Richard Vedelago as curator of the country’s national pavilion.
The announcement was made by the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, which said the decision forms part of the plans to strengthen Nigeria’s presence on major global cultural platforms.
Officials said the country’s participation in the 2028 exhibition would be organised under the government’s Destination 2030: Nigeria Everywhere initiative, a programme designed to promote Nigeria’s culture, tourism, and creative industries internationally.
The Venice Biennale is regarded as one of the world’s most important contemporary art exhibitions. Held every two years in Venice, Italy, the event brings together artists, curators, and cultural institutions from across the globe. Countries typically present their own national pavilions, showcasing selected artists and projects.
Nigeria’s confirmation for the 2028 edition comes after the country’s participation in the 2024 exhibition, where its pavilion featured contemporary Nigerian artists and attracted international attention.
According to the ministry, preparations for the 2028 pavilion will follow a long-term development plan aimed at improving organisation, funding and international partnerships.
The government said the early announcement would allow time to establish stronger institutional structures for the pavilion and ensure that Nigeria’s participation goes beyond a symbolic presence.
Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, described the upcoming pavilion as an opportunity to present Nigerian creativity to a global audience and deepen the country’s cultural influence.
She said Nigeria’s presence at the Venice Biennale would highlight the country’s artistic talent while contributing to broader efforts to strengthen the creative economy.
According to the minister, the pavilion would aim to demonstrate Nigeria’s cultural confidence and intellectual depth, while helping reshape global perceptions of African art.
The ministry added that the pavilion would also support long-term collaborations with international museums, cultural institutions and private sector partners.
Mr Vedelago, who has been appointed curator for the 2028 pavilion, said the focus would be on building sustainable frameworks that support Nigerian artists beyond the exhibition itself.
He noted that Nigerian artists already play an important role in global contemporary art and that the challenge now lies in creating stronger systems that sustain that presence.
“The question is no longer whether Nigerian artists belong on the world’s most important stages,” he said in a statement. “The question now is how to build frameworks that sustain that presence.”
Mr Vedelago added that the Venice Biennale offers an opportunity to create lasting institutional connections that benefit artists and cultural organisations in Nigeria.
By participating in major international exhibitions such as the Venice Biennale, Nigeria hopes to strengthen the visibility of its artists and expand opportunities for collaboration with global cultural institutions.
The Venice Biennale has increasingly become a platform where African countries present contemporary artistic perspectives to international audiences.
Further announcements regarding the pavilion’s theme, participating artists and international partners are expected to be made in the coming months as preparations for the exhibition continue.
