Access Holdings Plc and Coronation Group have celebrated the success and enduring legacy of the Nigerian Modernism exhibition at Tate Modern, describing it as a landmark showcase that elevated Nigerian art and culture on the global stage.
The two organisations hosted a private reception in London to commemorate the exhibition, which ran at Tate Modern from October 10, 2025, to May 8, 2026, and attracted more than 180,000 visitors.
The exhibition featured nearly 300 works by more than 50 Nigerian artists, tracing the evolution of modern Nigerian art from the 1940s through the post-independence era. Through paintings, sculptures, textiles, ceramics and works on paper, it explored the political, social and cultural forces that shaped modern African artistic expression.
Beyond the physical exhibition, the organisers said its influence extended through international media coverage, digital engagement, educational programmes and academic discourse, reaching audiences around the world and expanding awareness of Nigerian modern art.
The reception brought together leading figures from business, diplomacy, academia, culture and the arts to celebrate what organisers described as one of the most significant exhibitions of African art mounted by Tate Modern in recent years.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of Access Holdings and Coronation Group, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, said one of the exhibition’s greatest achievements was its impact on young people, particularly those of African heritage.
According to him, nearly 2,800 students had the opportunity to visit the exhibition, with many leaving inspired by a deeper appreciation of their cultural identity and African heritage.
“One of the aspects of this exhibition that stands out most for me is the opportunity we created for nearly 2,800 students, many of them of African heritage, to experience Tate Modern,” he said.
Aig-Imoukhuede also highlighted the exhibition’s role in strengthening cultural diplomacy, noting that culture remains an important driver of national identity and international engagement.
He recalled that President Bola Tinubu included a private tour of the exhibition during his visit to London, describing it as a powerful demonstration of how cultural heritage can enhance Nigeria’s global image.
Interim Director of Tate Modern, Karin Hindsbo, praised the exhibition for introducing audiences in the United Kingdom to a previously untold story of Nigerian artistic excellence.
She said the exhibition brought together the works of 50 artists spanning five decades and showcased how Nigerian artists blended African and European traditions to create a distinctive modern artistic movement.
Hindsbo also acknowledged the support of Access Holdings and Coronation Group, noting that their partnership made the exhibition possible.
The exhibition was widely recognised for challenging traditional narratives of twentieth-century art history by positioning Nigerian artists within the broader global modernist movement.
It also featured public lectures, guided tours and educational initiatives aimed at promoting deeper understanding of African art, identity and history.
Among its highlights was the display of seven historic wooden sculptures by Ben Enwonwu, originally commissioned in 1960 for the Daily Mirror in London and now housed in the Access Holdings Art Collection.
