Odinigwe Benedict Chukwukadibia Enwonwu MBE, better known as Ben Enwonwu, was a Nigerian painter and sculptor. Arguably the most influential African artist of the 20th century, his pioneering career opened the way for the postcolonial proliferation and increased visibility of modern African art. He was one of the first African artists to win critical acclaim, having exhibited in august exhibition spaces in Europe and the United States and listed in international directories of contemporary art. Since 1950, Enwonwu was celebrated as "Africa's Greatest Artist" by the international media and his fame was used to enlist support for Black Nationalists movement all over the world. The Enwonwu crater on the planet Mercury is named in his honour.
Michael Akhaine Osebhajimete Omoighe, better known as Mike Omoighe, was a Nigerian painter, curator, art critic and teacher of art. Born in Opoji Ekpoma area of Edo State in Nigeria, he grew up and lived in Lagos, Nigeria most of his life.
Ndidi Dike was born in 1960 in London. She is a Nigeria-based visual artist working in sculpture and mixed-media painting. She is one of Nigeria's leading female artists.She is from Amaokwe Item in Bende local government of Abia State. She has 3 living sisters
Nnenna Okore is an Australian-born Nigerian artist who lives and works in Chicago at North Park University, Chicago. Her largely abstract sculptural forms are inspired by richly textured forms and colors within the natural environment. Okore's work frequently uses flotsam or discarded objects to create intricate sculptures and installations through repetitive and labor-intensive processes. She learnt some of her intricate methods, including weaving, sewing, rolling, twisting and dyeing, by watching local Nigerians perform daily domestic tasks. In her more recent works, Okore uses plant-based materials to create large bioplastic art forms and installations. Her work has been shown in galleries and museums within and outside of the United States. She has won several international awards, including a Fulbright Scholar Award in 2012. and the Australian Creative Victoria Award in 2021.
Oladayo Popoola is a Nigerian retired major-general who was military governor of Oyo State during the military regime of Major-General Muhammadu Buhari, He was then appointed Military Governor of Ogun State during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida.
The Nigerian National Museum is a national museum of Nigeria, located in the city of Lagos. The museum has a notable collection of Nigerian art, including pieces of statuary, carvings also archaeological and ethnographic exhibits. Of note is a terracotta human head known as the Jemaa Head, part of the Nok culture. The piece is named after Jema'a, the village where it was discovered. The museum is located at Onikan, Lagos Island, Lagos State. The museum is administered by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments.
Bruce Obomeyoma Onobrakpeya is a Nigerian printmaker, painter and sculptor. He has exhibited at the Tate Modern in London, the National Museum of African Art of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., and the Malmö Konsthall in Malmö, Sweden. The National Gallery of Modern Art, Lagos has an exhibit of colourful abstract canvases by Onobrakpeya and his works can be found at the Virtual Museum of Modern Nigerian Art, although no exhibitions were showing as of October 2017.
Auchi Polytechnic is a Federal Polytechnic in Auchi, Edo State, Nigeria. It is one of the first four Polytechnics established in Nigeria. It has over 10,000 students enrolled in business, technology, environmental and arts courses.
Victor Ehikhamenor is a Nigerian visual artist, writer, and photographer known for his expansive works that engage with multinational cultural heritage and postcolonial socioeconomics of contemporary black lives. In 2017, he was selected to represent Nigeria at the Venice Biennale, the first time Nigeria would be represented in the event. His work has been described as representing "a symbol of resistance" to colonialism.
Oladotun Ojuolape Kayode is a Nigerian on-air personality, video jockey, actor and media entrepreneur, popularly known as Do2Tun. After pioneering a dance group called Xtreme dancers while in the university and featuring in music videos like D’banj's Why Me and Same Ni by Dj Zeez, Dotun came to wider prominence as a TV and radio personality, hosting shows and concerts.
Peju Alatise is a Nigerian artist, poet, writer, and a fellow at the National Museum of African Art, part of the Smithsonian Institution. Alatise received formal training as an architect at Ladoke Akintola University in Oyo State, Nigeria. She then went on to work for 20 years as a studio artist.
Ade Abayomi Olufeko, is an American-born designer, technologist, and entrepreneur primarily active in Lagos, Nigeria. He is known for his international contributions to the humanities, impacting regions like the United States, Africa, Asia, and Europe. His influence evolved from direct interactions and collaborations with consortiums, advocacy groups, and artist collectives. He is the founder of Visual Collaborative, an American platform collaborating with diverse experts on socio-economic issues.
Peju Layiwola, is an art Historian and visual artist from Nigeria who works in a variety of media and genre. She is listed as a "21st Century Avant-Garde" in the book Art Cities of the Future published by Phaidon Press. She is currently a Professor of Art and Art history at the University of Lagos and has been described as a "multi-talented artist." Her works can be found in the collection of Microsoft Lagos, Yemisi Shyllon Museum, Pan Atlantic, Lagos and homes of private collectors such as JP and Ebun Clark and the Obi of Onitsha.
Emmanuel Eni AKA Blackman in European Kitchen, is a Nigerian-born German artist and poet. He is known as a painter, sculptor, multimedia artist, performance artist and poet. THE NATION Newspapers describes him as one of the world’s most outstanding contemporary artists. Recently, he was listed in Forbes as one of the most famous and popular artists in 2020. Eni, who is famous for his fearless, soul-searching, philosophical art is described as an iconoclast of uncommon proportion https://thenationonlineng.net/how-germany-based-nigerian-artist-turned-lockdown-to-creative-forge/.
John Lopez is an American sculptor known for his life-size hybrid metal sculptures made out of discarded farm equipment and bronze. He is equally known for his 12 life-size presidential monuments made for The City of presidents in Rapid City, South Dakota. Some of the presidents include John F. Kennedy and John Jr., Grant, Carter, Harrison, Coolidge, T. Roosevelt, and Garfield. He lives in South Dakota.
Olakunle Joel Adewale is a Nigerian social entrepreneur and visual artist who in 2013 founded Tender Arts Nigeria, an organization with focus on therapeutic arts, arts in health, talent development, community empowerment and civic engagement through visual, literary and performing arts which benefit children, youth, adult https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayers and the aged across the world. Also, on 10 October 2021, he launched the first ever Mental health fellowship where he helps amplify the voices of young people interested in mental health and that with also provides a form of mental healing to the fellows.
Ayobola Kekere-Ekun is a Nigerian contemporary visual artist.
Olu Ajayi is a Nigerian professional artist, painter, cartoonist, and art reviewer, with over 40 years experience in studio practice and Art Administration. He is a past chairman of the Society of Nigerian Artists, Lagos State chapter and is a trustee of the Guild of Professional Artists of Nigeria (GFA). Olu Ajayi is also a board member of the Visual Art Society of Nigeria (VASON), and a Fellow of the Society of Nigerian Artists. He is listed in the Who is Who in Art compendium, as well as being honoured as a Top 100 Artist.
Olu Amoda is a Nigerian sculptor, muralist, furniture designer, and multimedia artist best known for using relics of discarded consumer such as rusty nails, metal plates, bolts, pipes, spoons and rods to create sculptural figures, flora and animals to highlight Nigerians socio-political and cultural issues from sex, politics, race and conflict to economic distribution. He is the founder of Riverside Art and Design Studios in Lagos, Nigeria.
Steve Ekpenisi popularly known as The Iron Bender is a Nigerian sculptor.
