Access Holdings Plc and Coronation Group on Wednesday hosted a private reception at Tate Modern, London, celebrating the success of the Nigerian Modernism exhibition and its global cultural impact.
A statement issued by the organisers on Thursday said the exhibition attracted more than 180,000 visitors during its run from Oct. 10, 2025, to May 8, 2026.
The organisers said the exhibition showcased nearly 300 works by more than 50 Nigerian artists, spanning five decades of artistic production and creative innovation.
They added that the exhibition reached millions worldwide through media coverage, digital engagement, educational programmes and scholarly discourse, expanding appreciation of Nigerian and African art.
Chairman of Access Holdings and Coronation Group, Mr Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, described the initiative as transformative, particularly for young people of African heritage.
“One of the aspects of this exhibition that stands out most for me is the opportunity we created for nearly 2,800 students.
“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,” he said.
Aig-Imoukhuede also said the exhibition strengthened Nigeria’s cultural diplomacy by demonstrating the influence of culture on national identity and international engagement.
“I have long believed that great nations are built at the intersection of financial, knowledge and cultural capital,” he said.
He recalled President Bola Tinubu’s private tour of the exhibition during his London visit, describing it as evidence of culture’s diplomatic value.
“It demonstrated the unique role culture can play in strengthening national identity, global engagement and diplomacy,” he said.
Interim Director of Tate Modern, Ms Karin Hinsbo, said the exhibition presented a story never previously told in a United Kingdom gallery.
“Nigerian Modernism brought together the works of 50 artists across 50 years, combining African and European traditions through diverse artistic expressions,” she said.
Hinsbo thanked Access Holdings and Coronation Group for supporting the landmark exhibition.
“None of this would have been possible without the partnership, generosity and commitment of Access Holdings and Coronation Group,” she said.
The organisers highlighted seven historic wooden sculptures by renowned Nigerian artist Ben Enwonwu as one of the exhibition’s major attractions.
Originally commissioned in 1960 for the Daily Mirror in London, the sculptures are now part of the Access Holdings Art Collection.The exhibition also expanded scholarship on African modernism, strengthened international collaborations and introduced Nigerian art to wider global audiences.
