The history of Nigerian art is fascinating. The dawn of the 15th century saw an explosion in the art scene. That century saw the death of Iyoba Idia (Queen Mother of Oba Esigie) which occasioned the carving of the famous figurine. The figurine became popular and placed the Benin Kingdom into the world of arts.…

The history of Nigerian art is fascinating. The dawn of the 15th century saw an explosion inthe art scene. That century saw the death of Iyoba Idia (Queen Mother of Oba Esigie) which occasioned the carving of the famous figurine. The figurine became popular and placed the Benin Kingdom into the world of arts. Other…

When the first white men set their foot on the shores of what would later be known as Nigeria, what they discovered was enchanting, far from the stereotype of a land full of savages. They discovered a beautiful land with amazing landmarks and people with well-developed crafts. A major testimony to this are the Kano…

Following the slave abolition passed on the 25th of March, 1807, there was a wave of liberated Africans returning home that lasted over five decades. Armed with knowledge and technology from former slave ports—Brazil, the Caribbeans and the West Indies—these slaves returned home with a specific duty to give back. Ships docked at the Lagos…

For over 700 years, the Benin art and history has been a subject of fascination, mystery and intrigue. This tale of imperial history and heritage has brought the world to its knees with respect and admiration. But how did this all start? How did civilisation and art journey into the heart of the Benin Empire…

The origin of theatre in Nigeria can be traced back to the 18th century with the emergence of court jesters in royal settings all over the regions. There were rampant displays of traditional masquerades and cultural troupes which added theatrical performances to their craft and provided cultural balance to the scale of tradition. It was…

“Iru awo egungun wo L’obirin le se, Awo Gelede ni Obinrin le yan, ti Obinrin ba wo oro, oro a gbe.” - King Sunny Ade (E ki lo fun Omo Ode, 1974 ) Translation: Which of the cults can a woman belong to if not the Gelede cult? But if a woman sees the Oro,…

From time immemorial, the Nigerian cultural heritage, history and arts have been preserved and kept in ancient traditional folders passed down from one generation to the other. Tales and exploits of ancient kings, rulers and old ways of life have been preserved for thousands of years, well-detailed and articulate with an almost outstanding scientific method.…

Patriarchy has never been fair to women; it always decides what should factor, where, what to do and when. Nigerian women have, however, fought against patriarchy with their words and actions. The feminist rise took a different dimension a couple of years ago when the likes of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie began advocating for equality. But,…

March, being International Women's Month, is a time when the world celebrates women for their incredible work and laudable achievements. Women have always been the pillar of every society. Fueling the flame that keeps the world going with their wisdom, pain, tears and struggle, they have kept the world active in its true essence. The…

In 1956, the Queen of England and the Duke of Edinburgh paid their colony, Nigeria, a visit, focussing on Lagos, Ibadan, Kano, and Calabar. The most convenient way of moving around at the time was by rail. Sir Lord Lugard, Governor General from 1901-1919, who was interested in connecting towns in the colony for economic…

"If we cannot fight for our arts, what, then are we fighting for? Save the future, promote arts and culture To fight for arts is to fight for the salvation of humanity." - Winston Churchill 2017 was an outstanding year for the arts and culture community in Lagos. Being the pulse of the country, the…