Soto Gallery partners Ecobank, AFC to elevate Nigeria’s art industry
Abdullateef Fowewe
The +234Art Fair, an international exhibition curated by Soto Gallery in partnership with Ecobank Nigeria Limited and Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), is set to elevate Nigeria’s burgeoning art industry as it organises an event to provide a platform to support emerging artists in Lagos.
The event, themed “Championing Patronage in Nigerian Art,” will showcase works from over 260 emerging artists from Thursday, March 27 to 31 at the Ecobank Pan African Centre in Lagos.
Speaking at the pressing briefing that was organised on Wednesday, at Ecobank Pan African Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos, the Founder of +234 Art Fair and Soto Gallery Foundation, Tola Akerele, highlighted that patronage is about fostering relationships that empower artists to sustain their creative practices.
“Patronage in the art world goes beyond financial support; it’s about building relationships that allow artists to grow and sustain their creative practices,” Akerele said.
The President & CEO of AFC, Samaila Zubairu, said, “We are proud to continue our collaboration with Ecobank to help drive Africa’s creative industry forward by creating a catalyst for promoting African art and artists locally and on the global stage.”
The Managing Director of Ecobank Nigeria, Bolaji Lawal, said, “The creative industry is a vital driver of economic growth and global connectivity, and we are proud to invest in the next generation of African talent.”
In her remark, the Head of SME, Partnerships, and Collaborations at Ecobank Nigeria, Omoboye Odu, noted that Ecobank Nigeria is bolstering its support for young Nigerian artists, aiming to propel them from local recognition to international credit.
She emphasised the bank’s commitment to providing comprehensive support beyond sponsorship, including capacity building and financial inclusion.
Odu said “We’re collaborating with Soto on masterclasses and capacity-building seminars to equip young artists with the right tools.
“It’s not just about creating art—it’s about giving them a platform to thrive in the global market and claim their share of the booming art industry. There’s significant financial potential in the art space, and we want to ensure these young artists are well-positioned to benefit.”
