Access Holdings and Coronation Group have celebrated success of Nigerian Modernism Exhibition at Tate Modern London.
NewsOnline Nigeria reports that Access Holdings Plc and Coronation Group have celebrated the remarkable success and lasting impact of the Nigerian Modernism exhibition at Tate Modern, London, describing it as a landmark achievement in showcasing African art on the global stage.
The private reception, held on July 1, 2026, honoured the exhibition, which ran from October 10, 2025, to May 8, 2026, and attracted more than 180,000 visitors while connecting millions worldwide to Nigeria’s rich artistic heritage through international media coverage, digital platforms, educational programmes and academic discourse.
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The exhibition featured nearly 300 artworks by more than 50 Nigerian artists, spanning five decades from the 1940s through the post-independence era. The collection included paintings, sculptures, textiles, ceramics and works on paper, highlighting the evolution of modern Nigerian art and its influence on global artistic expression.
Beyond its critical acclaim, the exhibition expanded access to African art, particularly for young people and members of the African diaspora, providing opportunities to engage with Nigeria’s cultural history at one of the world’s foremost museums.
Speaking at the reception, Chairman of Access Holdings and Coronation Group, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, said one of the exhibition’s greatest achievements was its impact on young Africans.
“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. The feedback we received showed that the exhibition inspired a deeper appreciation of their heritage, strengthening their sense of identity and pride in their African roots,” he said.
Aig-Imoukhuede also highlighted the exhibition’s broader significance in advancing Nigeria’s cultural diplomacy.
“I have long believed that great nations are built at the intersection of financial, knowledge and cultural capital. Cultural capital often brings everything else together. We witnessed this when President Bola Ahmed Tinubu included a private tour of Nigerian Modernism during his historic visit to London. It demonstrated how culture can strengthen national identity, international engagement and diplomacy.”
Interim Director of Tate Modern, Karin Hinsbo, described the exhibition as a groundbreaking presentation that introduced a previously untold story to UK audiences.
“Nigerian Modernism captivated hundreds of thousands of visitors. It presented an international network of 50 artists across five decades, blending African and European artistic traditions through over 250 remarkable works. This achievement would not have been possible without the partnership, generosity and commitment of Access Holdings and Coronation Group,” she said.
The exhibition earned widespread recognition for challenging traditional narratives of art history by firmly placing Nigerian artists within the global story of twentieth-century modernism. It also featured lectures, guided tours and educational initiatives designed to deepen public understanding of African creativity and identity.
One of the exhibition’s highlights was the display of seven historic wooden sculptures by Ben Enwonwu, originally commissioned in 1960 for the Daily Mirror in London and now housed in the Access Holdings Art Collection, underscoring the importance of preserving Nigeria’s artistic heritage.
Guests at the reception reflected on the exhibition’s enduring legacy in expanding scholarship on African modernism, strengthening international cultural partnerships and introducing Nigerian art to new global audiences.
Although the exhibition has concluded, organisers said its influence continues to shape global conversations on African creativity, cultural heritage, modern identity and cultural diplomacy.
