Chinyere Ndubuisi is a practicing sculptor, an academic and the first female Dean of the School of Art, Design and Printing Technology. She has a PhD in Visual Arts from the University of Lagos. Over the years, she has combined teaching, research, administration, and studio practice, all driven by a passion for art, education, and cultural expression. She spoke to GREGORY AUSTIN NWAKUNOR on her career trajectory.

“Being the first female HOD of Fine Art and later the first female Dean of the great Yaba Art School was a humbling experience,” she said.” It showed that gender and ethnicity do not have a place when one has proven oneself to be hardworking and a person of integrity.

Leadership positions naturally come with their dynamics, and mine was no exception.”

She explained, “there wasn’t much politicking because people saw my achievements as Head of Department and believed in my ability to do even more at the School level, so they chose me over two other male contestants. Although I have experienced differing opinions and occasional administrative politics, I chose to remain focused on competence, fairness, consistency, and transparency, which have helped me build trust among my colleagues. I see the journey not as a personal victory, but as progress for the Yaba Art School.”

You wonder what this attainment means to her? she had this to say: “At first, I felt great, having made history. Later, I realised it was more about responsibility than celebration. I now understand that leadership is about service and example. I felt a deeper obligation to mentor younger academics, especially women, and I work tirelessly to justify the confidence placed in me.”

How helpful were your female colleagues during this journey?
“Honestly, the journey has never been a struggle. Because the female members are fewer than the men, as is often the case in art schools, we have a bond and do things together, such as buying items in bulk to share at a cheaper rate, women’s things. These collaborative efforts naturally extended to my leadership, so I received maximum support from my female colleagues in different ways. Academia can be demanding, and having colleagues who understand the pressures makes a difference.

Their support strengthened me,” she said.

Her passion for art and education, as well as her faith in Godhave been the propelling force keeping her in the College. She said, “seeing students grow creatively and professionally is deeply fulfilling. Also, knowing that my hard work is appreciated, for example, when the College awarded me Best Dean of the Year 2024, keeps me motivated, even during challenging times.”

There were moments of pressure, particularly with administrative demands, limited resources, and balancing multiple responsibilities at home and in the office that made her almost give up. “But each time I felt overwhelmed, I reminded myself of the people looking up to me, particularly women, and my desire to make a positive change. The vision for the School and the impact on students kept me going,” she said.

Her practice has become more research-oriented and culturally reflective. Outside commissioned works, she explores themes of identity, heritage, and symbolism. She is a multimedia artist, but for outdoor sculpture, she prefers bronze and fiberglass. In all, she retorted, “I strive to balance aesthetics, technical precision, and narrative meaning in all my works.”

Recently, she executed three major outdoor sculptures. They were challenging and demanding. The works, “the 13-foot fiberglass statue of Pa Ade Ashiru, the 3-foot bust of Ndubuisi Kanu at Alausa, and the 4-foot bust of the late Chief Anthony Onwumere were quite demanding. Large-scale outdoor works require careful planning, from armature (structural reinforcement) to modeling and finishing. Transportation and installation are also major aspects that require expertise. Working outside Lagos, we faced several logistical and environmental challenges. However, with proper coordination and teamwork, we delivered successfully.”

She said, “my recent works have increased conversations around contemporary public sculpture, and I have gained more visibility through them. The projects have also expanded my professional network beyond Lagos and strengthened confidence among my patrons.”

The Yaba Art School is one of the most sought-after art schools in the country, and this is reflected in the steadily increasing enrollment. We have seven departments: Fine Art, Fashion Design, Industrial Design, Graphic Design, Printing Technology, Book Publishing, and Photography. We are managing growth carefully to ensure that facilities, studios, and staffing align with student numbers, because we cannot compromise on quality. It remains our priority as we uphold the saying that we are the “First and Still the Best.”

Her research, beginning with her PhD thesis, has focused on Nigerian art and culture. She recently presented a paper in the US on Ikenga and Black Sacred Art. What was the kernel? She smiles,“I have researched extensively on Oye-Ekiti Christian Art and the effects of culture on religion. Currently, I am studying ‘Ikenga, the Right Hand of the Igbos’. Last year, I presented two well-researched papers on Ikenga at Yale University and Tennessee State University in the USA. The papers examined Ikenga as a symbol of strength, achievement, and destiny in Igbo cosmology. They explored how Black sacred art embodies spirituality and identity, and how such symbols can be reinterpreted within contemporary global discourse without losing their philosophical depth. I also commended the efforts of Innoson Motors in preserving the Ikenga symbol through their SUV model named Ikenga.”

On the women’s month and the celebrations, she said: “As we mark International Women’s Day, I reflect not just on my personal journey, but on the resilience, strength, and quiet determination of women in academia and the arts. My emergence as the first female HOD and first female Dean in this School is not merely a personal milestone; rather, it is a reminder that competence, dedication, and integrity know no gender.I hope my journey encourages young women to aspire boldly, prepare themselves diligently, and never limit their dreams. Leadership is service, and women bring compassion, structure, and strength to leadership spaces.I remain committed to mentoring, empowering, and creating opportunities for the next generation of women and creatives. When women rise, institutions rise, and society progresses.”