Lagos, the pulsating heart of Nigeria’s cultural scene, recently played host to the highly anticipated +234 Art Fair, a vibrant showcase that reaffirmed the city’s burgeoning status as a significant hub for contemporary art on the African continent and beyond.
Building on the resounding success of its debut, Soto Gallery, in powerful collaboration with key partners Ecobank Nigeria Limited, Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), and lead sponsor Craneburg Construction Company, held this year’s edition of the fair at the Ecobank Pan African Centre, Lagos, from Thursday, March 27 to March 31.
The theme for the 2025 edition, ‘Championing Patronage in Nigerian Art’, richly explored the transformative power of patronage in driving the growth and sustainability of Nigerian art. Designed to offer a significant platform for young, unrepresented Nigerian artists, it was an avenue for the newer artists to showcase their work locally and internationally. This edition drew a diverse crowd of seasoned collectors, enthusiastic art lovers, curious first-timers, and a significant number of international visitors, all eager to immerse themselves in the rich tapestry of artistic expression on display.
The fair, known for its commitment to showcasing a dynamic range of artistic disciplines, from painting and sculpture to photography, mixed media, and digital art, provided a crucial platform for both established and emerging artists.
One of the defining characteristics of the +234 Art Fair has consistently been its ability to foster dialogue and connection within the art ecosystem. This year was no different, with a palpable energy of exchange between artists, gallerists, and collectors. The fair served not just as a marketplace but as a vital space for networking, intellectual engagement, and the forging of lasting relationships within the art community.
According to the founder of +234 Art Fair and Soto Gallery Foundation, Mrs Tola Akerele, patronage in the art world goes beyond financial support; it’s about fostering relationships that empower artists to sustain and expand their creative practices.
“Art thrives in environments where the practice is nurtured by a community committed to its growth, and the 2025 edition of the +234 Art Fair aims to facilitate those essential connections. By providing a dynamic platform for artists, collectors and art enthusiasts to interact, the fair will demonstrate how meaningful support can shape an artist’s journey and enhance the broader art ecosystem,” she said.
Reflecting on the success of the 2024 edition, Mrs. Akerele said: “We are proud of the achievements of the inaugural fair and are committed to continuing to provide opportunities for ‘un-galleried’ Nigerian artists to showcase their incredible skills, elevating their work on both the local and global art stages.”
The Managing Director/Regional Executive, Ecobank Nigeria, Bolaji Lawal, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to nurturing the creative sector across Nigeria and Africa.
“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. By providing platforms for emerging artists, we aim to support the growth and international recognition of Nigeria’s flourishing art scene,” he stated.
At the opening day of the fair, Akerele shared, “This meticulously curated five-day event, titled ‘Championing Patronage in Nigerian Art’, will feature the works of over 260 artists, showcasing cutting-edge art from emerging and un-galleried Nigerian artists. The fair will run from March 27th to March 31st at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC), a 2,000-square-meter exhibition space in Lagos,” she said.
The event is expected to attract Nigerians from all walks of life, Africans and non-Africans residing in Nigeria, top government officials, policymakers, members of the diplomatic corps, and global art enthusiasts.
Bolaji Lawal, represented by Omoboye Odu, head SME, Partnerships and Collaboration, Ecobank Nigeria, said the Bank recognises the creative industry as an essential driver of economic growth, well-being, and global connectivity.
According to him, Ecobank is a major player in financial service distribution in Nigeria, leveraging digital platforms such as the Ecobank Mobile App, USSD *326#, Ecobank Online, Ecobank OmniPlus, Ecobank Omnilite, EcobankPay, Ecobank RapidTransfer, ATMs, POS systems, and a vast network of over 250 branches and approximately 50,000 agency banking locations.
“Ecobank’s unique pan-African platform helps unlock opportunities across the continent, fostering regional integration, trade, and investment across borders. The bank remains a leading player in pan-African trade and payments. Our medium-term objective is to become the primary gateway for pan-African trade facilitation in the era of the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA), leveraging our position as a leading payment bank in Nigeria,” he said.
Driven by a culture of innovation, customer-centricity, excellence, sound risk management, and corporate governance, Ecobank aims to deliver sustainable value and play a transformative role in Africa’s growth. He said, “We are confident that our focus on customer-first products, robust digital platforms, and unrivaled pan-African reach will make us the preferred bank for payments, collections, and trade services in Nigeria in the medium term.”