Ecobank Nigeria has reaffirmed its commitment to the creative arts industry in Nigeria as it hosted an exhibition honouring legendary visual artists like Bruce Onobrakpeya, Twins Seven Seven, and Kolade Oshinowo, among others.
The exhibition titled ‘Enduring Legacies: A Collector’s Tribute to Masters’ opened on Friday, September 5 and will run till Sunday, September 21, 2025, at the EPAC Studios.
Ecobank has been expressing support for Nigeria’s creative arts industry with different programmes targeted at different segments of the sector, from fashion to the core arts. Other artists’ work being exhibited includes Muraina Oyelami, Moses Unokwah, Jimoh Buraimoh, Rufus Ogundele, Oyerinde Olotu, Lamidi Fakeye, Ablade Glover, Alex Nwokolo, Tony Enebeli, Sam Ovraiti, David Dale, Ben Osawe, Rom Isichei, Tola Wewe and Ini Brown.
The Managing Director of Ecobank Nigeria is Mr. Bolaji Lawal, who spoke at the press briefing heralding the opening of the exhibition and harped on the role of the bank in strengthening the arts industry and making it attractive to young Nigerians.
Lawal, who was represented by the Head of SMEs, Partnerships and Collaborations at Ecobank Nigeria, Omoboye Odu, said, “Our support underscores Ecobank’s role, not only as a financial institution, but also as a patron of African creativity and cultural heritage. This initiative aligns with our CSR focus on economic and cultural development and complements our boldness in empowering creative entrepreneurs. For those of you familiar with Ecobank, we’ve been projecting Nigerian creatives in recent years through events like Adire Lagos, the +234 Art Fair, and Òja Ògé pop-ups. This exhibition is a continuation of that effort.”
“It reminds us that Nigeria’s narrative can continue to change, not just in naira and kobo, but in the beauty that we can bring to the rest of the world to see.”
The curator of the exhibition, Adekepemi Aderemi, who led the selection of the pieces displayed, explained the depth of Nigeria’s artistic heritage represented in the collection.
“I went into his private collection and spent days and days and days just sifting through the work. It was a beautiful experience for me, genuinely a career highlight,” she recalled.
“Some of these are artists you’ve heard of but works you’ve not seen in real life; some are long dead. The pieces not only demonstrate technical brilliance but also narrate the evolution of modern and contemporary Nigerian art. I want visitors to feel a sense of reverence and pride and connection to the past. I hope people leave inspired, reflective, and reminded of the cultural wealth we hold as a nation,” she added.
For the collector and founder of KrabHouse Gallery, Andrew Ine, the exhibition is both personal and spiritual. Over his career, Ine has amassed over 30,000 works across decades, many of which are being shared with the public for the first time.
“Sometimes I get to my gallery, I get emotional, and I cry because I never, in my entire life, believed I would acquire up to 30,000 artworks,” he said.
“Every day, I speak to art. They speak to me. They take me backward; they take me forward. They make me look at generations in between. It’s not about money; it’s about creating a legacy. People have different relationships with art; it speaks differently to everyone. For me, this is passion, not profit,” the private collector disclosed.
Ine stressed that beyond commerce, art remains a vital vessel for identity, memory, and heritage.
“Imagine these works being in your home; imagine them somewhere that you can say, ‘I own this.’ The takeaway will be that visitors will interact with the works, be happy, be inspired, and see hope for Nigeria’s young artists. I believe even the departed masters, wherever they are, are smiling at this moment,” Ine added.
Over the duration, the exhibition is expected to attract art lovers, scholars, collectors, and cultural custodians, offering a rare opportunity to experience the enduring legacy of Nigeria’s artistic masters.
