Ecobank, Soto Gallery, AFC, Expands Wider Market For Nigerian Arts

Nigeria’s abundant arts heritage received a huge boost for global exploits recently as Ecobank, Soto Gallery, African Finance Corporation, and partners with renowned Nigerian arts institutions, arts community, and personalities, to host the third inspiring edition of the +234 Art Fair to tell the true story of Nigeria through the massive exposure of Nigeria’s arts variety to the globe.

The +234 art fair has, in three years, become an inevitable catalyst for art due to its standout vision and the organisers’ commitment. It has been successfully held for the past three years to champion the exhibition of Nigerian-made artistic works, photography, scripture, 3D digital arts, live arts illustrations and many others. It uniquely reaches out to young and established artists and creates strategic platforms and opportunities to connect with a wider arts appreciative community for support and patronage of their artworks. This edition featured more than 400 artists nationwide, who exhibited 1,100 artworks to Nigerian and foreign attendees.

Mr Bolaji Lawal, the chief host of the event and the Managing Director of Ecobank Nigeria, at the event, reassured Ecobank’s commitment to boosting Nigeria’s creative arts economy by supporting the development of inclusive platforms that will connect Nigerian artists to investors, global audiences, and markets for the patronage of their artworks.

Represented by Ms Omoboye Odu, Ecobank Head of SMEs, Partnership and Collaboration, delivered his speech at the opening of the event, with the theme “Inclusivity”. He described the art fair as more than an exhibition, declaring that it had evolved into a movement that positions Nigerian art as both cultural expression and a viable export for business worldwide.

“When most people hear ‘+234’, they think of a phone number. We see it as a nation calling the world, and the world is responding. This fair is where finance meets creativity, where boardrooms shake hands with brush strokes, and where capital meets canvas.

“It shows that art is not only culture and identity, but also a serious economic force,” he said. Lawal said the 2026 edition focuses on expanding access and opportunity for emerging and underrepresented artists, while strengthening the commercial value chain around art. According to him, Nigeria’s creative sector is vibrant and increasingly investable, adding that structured support can make it scalable, exportable and a major source of jobs for young people.

“As Ecobank, we are intentional about supporting sectors that diversify the economy, empower youth and create sustainable value,” Lawal stressed. He added that the fair, organised in partnership with Soto Gallery, reflected a share he noted

The fair features curated exhibitions by emerging and established artists, masterclasses, live installations, panel sessions linking finance and the arts, a children’s creative zone, a collectors’ lounge and curated culinary experiences.

In an interview with Tolu Akerele, the Director-General of the National Arts Theatre, she said that the +234 art fair is a necessary platform that bridges creativity and commerce, expanding access to new voices. While applauding this year’s theme: “inclusivity”, she advocates the need for deliberate action to search out artists beyond the established networks and create opportunities for their participation.  “ Inclusivity means going beyond the familiar space to discover talents who may not have access to platforms. We receive thousands of expressions of interest from artists around Nigeria,” Akerele, who is also the founder of Soto Gallery, said.

The Curator of the fair, Eyimofe Ideh, explained the vision behind the theme in an interview with “ In previous editions, submissions came predominantly from neighbouring states. This year, we made a deliberate decision to go nationwide, travelling across 17 states from the North, East, and South. The artists we visited shared the challenges they are facing. We tried to offer practical support, including covering the cost of transporting their artworks to Lagos. And this build trust the communities that previously not engaged with the fair.” she elaborated.