Access Holdings, Coronation Group Celebrate Global Success of Nigerian Modernism Exhibition at Tate Modern

Access Holdings, Coronation Group Celebrate Global Success of Nigerian Modernism Exhibition at Tate Modern

Access Holdings Plc and Coronation Group have celebrated the international success and lasting cultural impact of the Nigerian Modernism exhibition at Tate Modern in London, describing the landmark showcase as a major milestone in promoting Nigerian art, cultural diplomacy and African identity on the global stage.

Access Holdings Plc and Coronation Group hosted a private reception at Tate Modern in London on July 1, 2026, to commemorate the enduring legacy of the Nigerian Modernism exhibition, one of the most significant presentations of African art staged by the renowned museum in recent years.

The exhibition, which ran from October 10, 2025, to May 8, 2026, featured nearly 300 works by more than 50 Nigerian artists, tracing the evolution of modern Nigerian art from the 1940s through the post-independence period. The collection showcased paintings, sculptures, textiles, ceramics and works on paper, highlighting the political, social and cultural forces that shaped modern African artistic expression.

Organisers disclosed that the exhibition attracted over 180,000 visitors during its seven-month run, while its influence extended to hundreds of millions of people globally through international media coverage, digital engagement, educational programmes and scholarly discussions.

They noted that beyond receiving widespread critical acclaim, the exhibition expanded access to African art by providing nearly 2,800 students, many of African heritage, with the opportunity to experience the exhibition firsthand.

Speaking at the reception, Chairman of Access Holdings Plc and Coronation Group, Aigboje Aig-Imoukhuede, described the exhibition's impact on young people as one of its greatest achievements.

He said many students who visited the exhibition developed a stronger appreciation of their African heritage, identity and cultural pride.

Aig-Imoukhuede also stressed the growing importance of culture in strengthening national identity and international relations, recalling that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu included a private tour of the exhibition during his official visit to London.

According to him, the visit demonstrated the important role culture can play in advancing diplomacy, fostering global engagement and projecting Nigeria's image internationally.

Interim Director of Tate Modern, Karin Hinsbo, described Nigerian Modernism as a groundbreaking exhibition that presented a story never before told in a UK gallery.

She praised Access Holdings and Coronation Group for their partnership and support, noting that the exhibition brought together works spanning five decades and highlighted the artistic dialogue between African and European traditions.

A major attraction of the exhibition 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.

The exhibition also featured lectures, guided tours and educational initiatives designed to deepen public understanding of African art and identity while challenging conventional narratives of twentieth-century modernism.

Guests at the reception described the exhibition as a landmark achievement that broadened global scholarship on African modernism, strengthened international cultural partnerships and introduced Nigerian artistic excellence to new audiences worldwide.

Although the exhibition has officially closed, organisers said its legacy continues to influence conversations on African creativity, heritage, modern identity and cultural diplomacy, cementing its place as a defining moment in contemporary museum practice.