The Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, and other prominent dignitaries are expected at the African Art Business Conference slated for January 27, 2025 at the Alliance Francaise, Ikoyi Lagos.

She is also expected to attend the Africa rising exhibition of Olusegun Paul Andrew Private Collection, which will be held from January 25 to 31, 2025. The Convener/Executive Chair, Paul Andrew Private Collection, Olusegun Paul Andrew, said Musawa is the special guest of honour

He added that the twin event is sponsored by The Private Office of Olusegun Paul Andrew, The Museum of Modern and Contemporary African Art London (MoMCAAL) and Zero Prive Advisory/Gallery, with presence in Lagos, London, and now in Paris.

Other speakers include Olufemi Akinsanya, Femi Lijadu, Sandra Obiago, Obi Asika, Tola Akerele, Ngozi Edozien, Jess Castellote and Papa Omotayo. To Andrew, the need to advance African art in the global art marketplace cannot be over emphasised.

He insisted that African art needs to be fully grasped, properly valued and presented to the international and local collectors in its purest economic front. “We will also look at the impact of the social, economic cum political potential of art in our national discourse.”

Saying the global art market is valued at about $80 billion as at 2024, he argued that African art needs to evolve and take huge advantage of the global art market.

In addition, he said Nigerian artists would also need to plug into this space to create further foreign exchange and support the economic development of the country.