President Tinubu champions Nigeria’s creative economy at Tate Modern

L-R: Ofovwe Aig-Imoukhuede; Chairman of Access Holdings/Coronation Group, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede; President Bola Ahmed Tinubu; and First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, during the President’s visit to the ongoing Nigerian Modernism exhibition at Tate Mordern, sponsored by Access Holdings and Coronation Group…yesterday

In a fitting and symbolic conclusion to his landmark state visit to the United Kingdom, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu brought his engagements to a close with a distinguished reception at the Tate Modern, where Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage took centre stage through the “Nigerian Modernism” exhibition.

The high-profile reception attracted an array of global dignitaries, including David Lammy, members of the diplomatic corps, business leaders, and representatives of the Nigerian diaspora.

Beyond its ceremonial significance, the event served as a powerful statement of Nigeria’s cultural identity and growing global influence.

Describing the exhibition as “a testament to a revolution,” President Tinubu reflected on the pioneering generation of Nigerian artists who, in the mid-20th century, redefined artistic expression and asserted a bold identity beyond colonial narratives.

“It is a profound honour to stand here… to witness the soul of Nigeria on display,” the President said. “What we see here is a people who have taken the best of global techniques and infused them with the enduring rhythms of our heritage.”

Central to the success of the exhibition was the strategic collaboration between Access Holdings PLC and Coronation Group, whose support made the showcase possible. President Tinubu commended both organisations for their commitment to advancing Nigeria’s cultural diplomacy and creative economy on the global stage.

“By bringing these works to London, you are not just hosting an exhibition; you are facilitating a vital dialogue between our past and our shared future,” he stated.

The reception also echoed the broader vision of the administration’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which extends beyond economic reforms to include the promotion and global projection of Nigeria’s cultural assets as drivers of national development.

Highlighting the importance of the creative sector, President Tinubu noted that industries such as art, music, film, and literature remain among Nigeria’s most powerful exports, serving as instruments of soft power in an increasingly interconnected world.

“Our creative industries represent Nigeria’s voice to the world,” he said. “They are bridges that connect us across borders and cultures.”

For many attendees, particularly Nigerians in the diaspora, the event carried deep emotional and symbolic significance. Surrounded by artworks that embody resilience, innovation, and identity, the President urged Nigerians abroad to sustain the spirit of creativity and leadership that defines the nation’s modernist legacy.

“You come from a lineage of pioneers… the ability to innovate, adapt, and lead,” he affirmed.

The event also reinforced the enduring relationship between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, a partnership rooted in history but increasingly shaped by shared aspirations in culture, commerce, and innovation.

As conversations unfolded within the iconic industrial setting of the Tate Modern, one message stood out: Nigeria’s cultural renaissance is not a distant vision but an unfolding reality, driven by collaboration between visionary leadership and forward-looking institutions.

“Art has no borders. It is the language of our common humanity,” President Tinubu concluded. “As we celebrate Nigerian Modernism, we also celebrate the enduring partnership between our nations and the limitless potential of human creativity.”

The evening reception marked not just the end of a successful state visit, but the culmination of a narrative that positioned Nigeria at the intersection of culture, commerce, and global influence, a historic finale to a truly historic engagement.