+234 Art Fair Archives - Business Today NG https://businesstodayng.com/tag/234-art-fair/ The Hub of News Reporting Wed, 04 Mar 2026 11:58:16 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0.4 Leadway Strengthens Creative Economy with Continued +234 Art Fair Partnership https://businesstodayng.com/leadway-strengthens-creative-economy-with-continued-234-art-fair-partnership/ Wed, 04 Mar 2026 11:56:28 +0000 https://businesstodayng.com/?p=61560 BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR-/Leadway has reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s creative sector through its continued partnership with the +234 Art Fair, reinforcing its role in strengthening the nation’s creative economy and supporting emerging artistic talent. The insurer continued sponsorship underscores its belief in creative expression as a powerful driver of cultural and national development. Through its […]

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]]> BY NKECHI NAECHE-ESEZOBOR-/Leadway has reaffirmed its commitment to Nigeria’s creative sector through its continued partnership with the +234 Art Fair, reinforcing its role in strengthening the nation’s creative economy and supporting emerging artistic talent.

The insurer continued sponsorship underscores its belief in creative expression as a powerful driver of cultural and national development. Through its partnership with the +234 Art Fair, it  provides not only financial backing but also strategic support to strengthen Nigeria’s creative economy and nurture long-term artistic talent.

This year’s edition of the +234 Art Fair takes place from March 5–8, 2026, at the Ecobank Pan African Centre, Lagos. The 2026 fair places strong emphasis on Inclusivity, a principle that goes beyond a slogan to shape how the fair is curated, experienced, and remembered. The approach ensures broader access, diverse representation, and meaningful engagement across Nigeria’s artistic landscape.

“At Leadway, we recognise the creative industry as an essential part of Nigeria’s cultural and economic fabric. A true national soft power,” said Managing Director, Leadway Pensure,Olusakin Labeodan on behalf of the Leadway Group. “Beyond the artistic value, the creative sector contributes meaningfully to job creation, fosters innovation, and enterprise development. Our partnership with the +234 Art Fair reflects our commitment to supporting structured platforms that provide emerging creatives with access to markets, mentorship, and sustainable growth opportunities.”

Launched in 2024, the +234 Art Fair has quickly become one of Nigeria’s most important platforms for emerging and unrepresented artists. The fair brings together painters, sculptors, photographers, and digital artists, creating opportunities to connect with collectors, art enthusiasts, and industry stakeholders. It has established itself as a vital avenue for professional development and increased visibility within both local and international art markets.

By centering inclusivity, the fair highlights the importance of accessible opportunities for artists from diverse backgrounds, disciplines, and communities within Nigeria’s creative ecosystem. This focus reinforces its commitment to broad representation and equitable participation in the arts.

“For more than fifty years, Leadway has stood as a pillar of innovation and impact in Nigeria. We recognise that investing in the institutions that shape our society is not only a responsibility, but a strategic imperative for national progress. Our support for the +234 Art Fair is an expression of this commitment to inclusive growth, cultural preservation, and generational nation-building. We are determined to champion platforms that empower emerging talent and ensure that our legacy endures across Nigeria’s creative landscape”, said Labeodan.

The company has been an active partner of the +234 Art Fair since the fair’s earliest edition, supporting the initiative while helping artists connect with collectors, curators, and new audiences. Beyond the fair, this approach reflects the company’s broader ethos of backing platforms that create lasting value across communities, industries, and society.

About the +234 Art Fair

Organised by Soto Gallery in collaboration with strategic partners, the +234 Art Fair has rapidly become one of Nigeria’s most anticipated creative events. It champions the work of emerging artists, connects them to a global audience, and fosters dialogue about the role of art in national development. Hosted at prominent venues in Lagos, the fair features an expansive range of artistic mediums, interactive workshops, and networking engagements designed to stimulate market growth and cultural appreciation.


About Leadway

Leadway is one of Nigeria’s foremost non-banking financial and wellbeing conglomerates, providing a comprehensive range of solutions across life and general insurance, health management, hospitality, and other financial services. Established in 1970 and headquartered in Lagos, Leadway has built a distinguished legacy spanning over five decades, defined by resilience, innovation, and customer-focused excellence. The Group remains dedicated to advancing sustainable growth, fostering community empowerment, and strengthening Nigeria’s socio-economic development.

 

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]]> AFC, Ecobank, Soto Gallery Partner for 2026 +234 Art Fair in Lagos https://businesstodayng.com/afc-ecobank-soto-gallery-partner-for-2026-234-art-fair-in-lagos/ Wed, 25 Feb 2026 15:41:37 +0000 https://businesstodayng.com/?p=61377 Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), the leading infrastructure solutions provider in Africa, today announced its partnership with Ecobank Nigeria and Soto Gallery for the third consecutive year, to host the +234 Art Fair, a four-day international exhibition, spotlighting Nigeria’s fast-growing creative economy and the dynamism of contemporary African art. The 2026 edition, themed “Inclusivity,” will take […]

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]]> Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), the leading infrastructure solutions provider in Africa, today announced its partnership with Ecobank Nigeria and Soto Gallery for the third consecutive year, to host the +234 Art Fair, a four-day international exhibition, spotlighting Nigeria’s fast-growing creative economy and the dynamism of contemporary African art.
The 2026 edition, themed “Inclusivity,” will take place from 5–8 March 2026 at the Ecobank Pan-African Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria’s commercial capital and one of Africa’s leading cultural hubs.
The theme reflects the organisers’ shared commitment to expanding access within the creative sector, strengthening creative entrepreneurship, and fostering broader participation across Nigeria’s contemporary art ecosystem. The Fair positions art not only as a cultural expression, but as a driver of economic diversification, youth empowerment, and cross-border trade.
The event will feature curated exhibitions, panel discussions, live art installations, masterclasses, workshops, and high-level networking sessions designed to deepen engagement between the arts and finance communities. It is expected to attract artists, collectors, investors, diplomats, cultural institutions, and business leaders from across Africa and beyond.
Commenting on the initiative, Samaila Zubairu, President and CEO of AFC, said: “Now in our third year of supporting the +234 Art Fair, AFC remains committed to championing platforms that unlock the commercial and cultural value of Africa’s creative industries. The Fair reflects the power of Africa’s young, dynamic talent to drive innovation, enterprise and global cultural influence. Through our continued collaboration with Ecobank and Soto Gallery, we are proud to support an ecosystem that enables African artists to scale their reach, retain value on the continent, and position African creativity as a globally competitive economic force.”
Also speaking, Bolaji Lawal, Managing Director and Regional Executive of Ecobank Nigeria, said: “As a pan-African banking group, we recognise the transformative power of the creative sector. We are committed to providing platforms that enable African creatives, including visual artists to access markets, visibility, and opportunities locally and internationally.”
Tola Akerele, Founder of Soto Gallery and Curator of the +234 Art Fair, added: “The Fair is more than an exhibition; it is a movement to amplify Nigerian voices, celebrate our stories, and connect our artists to wider markets across Africa and beyond. ‘Inclusivity’ reflects our determination to widen representation and reshape visibility within the art space.”
Inspired by Nigeria’s international dialling code “+234,” the Fair showcases both emerging and established artists while fostering dialogue on the role of the creative economy in advancing sustainable development. Hundreds of artworks have already arrived at the 2,000-square-metre venue in preparation for the exhibition.
Event highlights include large-scale art exhibitions, an art-focused bookstore, an immersive children’s creative space, curated culinary experiences, a VIP collectors’ lounge, and interactive masterclasses and workshops.
The +234 Art Fair has strengthened its position as one of Nigeria’s most influential cultural platforms, delivering sustained growth across its 2024 and 2025 editions. Over the two years, the fair attracted more than 18,000 visitors.
Artist participation increased from 200 exhibitors in 2024 to 260 in 2025, reflecting its expanding reach within the creative community.
Combined, the editions showcased over 1,100 artworks across 2D, sculpture, photography, digital art, and children’s art, alongside masterclasses, workshops, live demonstrations, and networking events designed to support talent development and industry exchange. In both years, the fair also emerged as the number one trending topic on X (formerly Twitter), underscoring its growing cultural relevance and national visibility.

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