Access Holdings, Coronation Group Celebrate Nigerian Modernism Legacy at Tate Modern

Access Holdings Plc and Coronation Group recently hosted a private reception in London to honor the significant legacy of Nigerian Modernism. The event celebrated the "Nigerian Modernism" exhibition, a major presentation of African art at Tate Modern, which ran from October 10, 2025, to May 8, 2026.

The exhibition showcased nearly 300 works from more than 50 artists, spanning five decades of Nigerian artistic production. Through various mediums like painting, sculpture, and textiles, it traced the evolution of modern Nigerian art from the 1940s through the post-independence era. The display offered new perspectives on the political, social, and cultural forces that shaped modern African expression.

During its run, the exhibition drew over 180,000 visitors. Its influence extended globally through international media, digital engagement, and educational programs, connecting hundreds of millions worldwide with Nigerian modern art. The exhibition also focused on democratizing access to African art, providing opportunities for young people and the African diaspora to engage with their heritage at a leading cultural institution.

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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.

Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, Chairman of Access Holdings and Coronation Group, emphasized the exhibition's impact on young people. He noted that nearly 2,800 students, many of African heritage, experienced Tate Modern. "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 stated, reflecting on the feedback received.

Aig-Imoukhuede also highlighted the exhibition's diplomatic importance, stating, "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." He cited President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's inclusion of a private tour of the exhibition during his historic visit as a powerful example.

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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 histo