Access Holdings, Coronation Group Celebrate Global Success of Nigerian Modernism Exhibition at Tate Modern
Access Holdings Plc and Coronation Group have celebrated the remarkable global success of the Nigerian Modernism exhibition at Tate Modern, London, hosting an exclusive reception to mark what has been described as one of the most significant showcases of African art presented by the renowned gallery in recent years.
The private event brought together distinguished personalities from the worlds of business, diplomacy, academia, culture and the arts to reflect on the exhibition’s international impact and enduring contribution to the promotion of Nigerian and African artistic heritage on the global stage.
The Nigerian Modernism exhibition, presented in partnership with Tate Modern between October 10, 2025 and May 8, 2026, featured nearly 300 works by more than 50 artists whose creations spanned five decades of Nigerian artistic development.
Through paintings, sculptures, textiles, ceramics and works on paper, the exhibition traced the evolution of modern Nigerian art from the 1940s into the post-independence period, highlighting the political, cultural and social influences that shaped one of Africa’s most vibrant artistic traditions.
Throughout its seven-month run, the exhibition attracted more than 180,000 visitors to Tate Modern. Its influence, however, extended well beyond the museum through widespread international media coverage, digital engagement, educational programmes and scholarly discussions that introduced hundreds of millions of people around the world to the richness of Nigerian modern art.
Organisers said one of the exhibition’s most significant achievements was its success in making African art more accessible to wider audiences, particularly young people and members of the African diaspora, many of whom experienced Nigerian artistic heritage firsthand at one of the world’s foremost cultural institutions.
Speaking during the reception, Chairman of Access Holdings and Coronation Group, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, described the exhibition’s impact on young people as one of its greatest accomplishments.
According to him, nearly 2,800 students, many of African heritage, were given the opportunity to visit Tate Modern through the initiative.
He noted that although their individual experiences with the artworks could not be formally documented, feedback received afterwards demonstrated the profound influence the exhibition had on them.
Aig-Imoukhuede said many of the students developed a deeper appreciation of their cultural heritage, strengthening their sense of identity and pride in their African roots.
He also stressed the exhibition’s wider diplomatic significance, arguing that cultural capital remains a vital force in nation-building alongside financial and intellectual capital.
According to him, the importance of culture was demonstrated when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu included a private tour of the Nigerian Modernism exhibition during his official visit to London, describing the occasion as a powerful illustration of how art can strengthen national identity, foster international engagement and support cultural diplomacy.
Interim Director of Tate Modern, Karin Hinsbo, praised the exhibition’s success and acknowledged the crucial role played by Access Holdings and Coronation Group in making the ambitious project possible.
She described Nigerian Modernism as a landmark exhibition that captivated hundreds of thousands of visitors while telling a story that had never before been presented in a United Kingdom gallery.
Hinsbo noted that the exhibition showcased an international network of 50 Nigerian artists whose works over five decades blended African and European artistic traditions to create an enduring modern artistic legacy through paintings, sculptures, textiles, ceramics and works on paper.
She added that the exhibition would not have been possible without the commitment, generosity and partnership demonstrated by Access Holdings and Coronation Group.
Art historians and cultural observers have widely commended the exhibition for challenging long-standing art historical narratives by firmly positioning Nigerian artists within the broader history of twentieth-century global modernism.
In addition to the artworks on display, the exhibition featured an extensive programme of public lectures, guided tours and educational activities aimed at encouraging deeper conversations around African creativity, identity and heritage.
Among the exhibition’s defining attractions were seven historic wooden sculptures created by renowned Nigerian artist Ben Enwonwu.
The sculptures, originally commissioned in 1960 for the Daily Mirror newspaper in London and now housed within the Access Holdings Art Collection, highlighted the importance of preserving cultural heritage through institutional collaboration and responsible stewardship.
Guests at the reception reflected on the exhibition’s lasting contribution to scholarship on African modernism, its role in strengthening international cultural partnerships and its success in introducing Nigerian art to new audiences across the world.
Although the exhibition has formally concluded, organisers believe its influence will continue to shape global conversations surrounding African creativity, cultural heritage, modern identity and cultural diplomacy for years to come.
The celebration at Tate Modern underscored the growing recognition of Nigerian art as an integral part of the global artistic canon and reaffirmed the commitment of Access Holdings and Coronation Group to supporting initiatives that preserve, promote and celebrate Africa’s rich cultural legacy on the international stage.
