Dr Mrs Folashade Elizabeth Olukoya, wife of the General Overseer of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries (MFM) and Chancellor of Mountain Top University (MTU), has commissioned the Elizabeth Olukoya Centre for Fine and Applied Arts at the university’s Prayer City campus along the Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Ogun State.

The centre is expected to strengthen teaching and research in Fine and Applied Arts while promoting creativity, culture and artistic expression in Nigeria.

The imposing three-storey edifice was designed to provide a conducive environment for teaching, learning, research and artistic expression. It is expected to serve as a hub for creativity, innovation and talent development within the university and beyond.

The commissioning marks another milestone in MTU’s commitment to the holistic development of students by providing a platform where artistic talent, innovation and cultural expression can thrive.

The centre is equipped with seven offices, three large lecture halls, seven studios and an office for the Head of Department. It also houses two art exhibition galleries, a painting studio, Textile and Fashion Design Studio, Visual Communication Design Studio, Art History classroom, printing room, common room and drawing hall, among other facilities.

The event attracted dignitaries from the academic, religious and creative sectors, including senior pastors, ministers and ministers’ wives from MFM, academics, professional artists and representatives of leading institutions and organisations in Nigeria’s creative industry.

Speaking at the commissioning, Olukoya expressed delight at the establishment of the centre, describing the arts as an important instrument for education, self-expression, cultural preservation and societal development.

She stressed the importance of nurturing creativity among young people, particularly in a rapidly changing world, and providing students with opportunities to discover and develop their God-given talents.

Reflecting on her personal journey with the arts, Olukoya said her passion for art began during childhood, when she had little understanding of the significance of her creative abilities.

She described artistic talent as a gift from God and said her ability to think deeply and engage her imagination had contributed significantly to the development of her creative expression.

According to her, art should not be viewed merely in terms of physical objects or aesthetic beauty, as it can communicate deeper meanings and provide new ways of understanding life and the world.

“Arts are deeper than the physical things that people see,” she said, adding that art provides a means of appreciating and understanding God’s creation.

Olukoya further said the creative process encourages individuals to look beyond the surface, think critically and engage with ideas from different perspectives.

She urged young people to remain committed to their dreams and visions even when their aspirations were not immediately understood or appreciated by others.

She also encouraged students to be patient and committed to developing their God-given abilities, noting that the journey towards fulfilling one’s destiny may not always be immediately clear.

Olukoya expressed optimism that the facility would produce generations of students whose knowledge, creativity and expertise would positively impact society.

She said MTU’s vision extended beyond conventional academic instruction to helping students discover their purpose, develop their abilities and ultimately fulfil their destinies.

The Vice-Chancellor of MTU, Professor Ayolabi, said the project was conceived and sponsored by overseers at MFM as part of the university’s broader commitment to academic development and was undertaken in commemoration of the honorary award conferred on Olukoya.

He expressed gratitude to God and all stakeholders involved in the development of the project, stressing that the significance of the building went beyond its physical structure.

“The significance of this project goes beyond the physical structure. It represents the commitment of Mountain Top University to the holistic development of human minds. It is a centre of innovation, where talent will be discovered, and generations of students will be empowered,” Ayolabi said.

He noted that the facility would provide students with opportunities to discover and develop their talents while acquiring the knowledge and practical competencies required to compete in an increasingly creative and knowledge-driven global economy.

Ayolabi said the initiative also reflected MTU’s broader vision of producing well-rounded graduates equipped with the knowledge, character and skills required to make a positive impact on society.

He added that the centre represented “a statement of confidence in the power of creativity and in the potential of young Nigerians to transform their talents into solutions, enterprises and cultural expressions that can resonate locally and globally.”

He said the facility would become a vibrant hub where ideas could be transformed into works of art, talents nurtured and the next generation of Nigerian creatives inspired to dream, create and make a difference.

The Head of the Department of Fine and Applied Arts, MTU, Dr Kehinde Shobukonla, said the centre’s major strength was its two art exhibition galleries, which would provide students with opportunities to move beyond production to professional presentation, exhibition and audience engagement.

According to him, the facility connects the creative process from concept and research to production, critique and exhibition.

He listed the specialised spaces as the Painting Studio, Textile and Fashion Design Studio, Visual Communication Design Studio, Art History Classroom, Printing Room, Common Room, Drawing Hall, 100-Level Studio and 200-Level Studio.

Shobukonla added that the centre’s facilities extended beyond the main building to include dedicated Sculpture and Pottery Studios.

He explained that the Sculpture Studio was designed as a heavy-duty workshop for welding, carving, construction, assemblage and the production of large-scale or monumental works that might not be suitable for the main building.

The Pottery Studio, he added, accommodates specialised processes and equipment for moulding, glazing, firing, ceramics, glass art and related material experimentation.

According to Shobukonla, the centre would enhance students’ practical learning through access to specialised studios and workshops, opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, professional exhibition experience and stronger preparation for careers in Nigeria’s expanding creative economy.