LONDON, UK. July 3, 2026. Access Holdings Plc and Coronation Group hosted an intimate celebration at Tate Modern to recognise the remarkable achievements of the Nigerian Modernism exhibition. The reception acknowledged the exhibition’s lasting cultural contribution and the international conversations it sparked about Nigerian and African art.
Presented in collaboration with Tate Modern from October 10, 2025, until May 8, 2026, the exhibition showcased almost 300 works by over 50 artists representing five decades of artistic practice. Featuring paintings, sculptures, ceramics, textiles and works on paper, it examined the development of Nigerian modern art from the 1940s through the years following independence.
The exhibition attracted more than 180,000 visitors and generated significant international interest through media coverage, digital engagement, educational activities and academic research, extending its impact well beyond the gallery.
Celebrated by critics and audiences alike, Nigerian Modernism expanded access to African art by welcoming young audiences and members of the African diaspora to experience African creativity, history and identity in one of the world’s leading museums.
The reception welcomed prominent representatives from the worlds of business, diplomacy, academia, culture and the arts to celebrate the exhibition’s international influence.
In his remarks, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman of Access Holdings and Coronation Group, reflected on what he described as one of the exhibition’s most enduring achievements: its impact on young people.
“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. While their encounters with the artworks could not be formally documented, the feedback we received spoke volumes. For many of these young people, the exhibition inspired a deeper appreciation of their heritage, reinforcing their sense of identity and pride in their African roots.”
Aig-Imoukhuede further underscored the exhibition’s broader diplomatic importance.
“I have long believed that great nations are built at the intersection of financial, knowledge and cultural capital. Of these, cultural capital is often the force that brings everything else together. We saw a powerful example of that when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu chose to include a private tour of Nigerian Modernism during his historic visit to London, alongside the thousands of Nigerians in the diaspora who came out to welcome him. It was a remarkable moment that demonstrated the unique role culture can play in strengthening national identity, global engagement and diplomacy.”
Karin Hinsbo, Interim Director of Tate Modern, emphasised the significance of the exhibition and the strength of the partnership behind it.
“Nigerian Modernism captivated hundreds of thousands of visitors. It was a story that had never been told in a UK gallery, an international network of 50 artists across 50 years, combining African and European traditions to create a powerful artistic legacy through 250 glorious works made up of painting, sculpture, textiles, ceramics, and works on paper. None of this would have been possible without the partnership, generosity, and commitment of Access Holdings and Coronation Group.”
The exhibition was widely recognised for challenging established art historical narratives by positioning Nigerian artists firmly within the global story of twentieth-century modernism. It also delivered extensive public programming, including lectures, tours and educational initiatives designed to deepen engagement with African art and identity.
A defining highlight of the exhibition was the inclusion of seven historic wooden sculptures by Ben Enwonwu, originally commissioned in 1960 for the Daily Mirror in London and now part of the Access Holdings Art Collection, underscoring the importance of cultural stewardship and cross-institutional collaboration.
