+234 Art Fair: Spotlighting inclusivity across board

…As this year’s show surpasses previous edition

Since Thursday, March 5, 2026, the Nigerian visual art community and the public alike have been excited by incredible works created by young, un-galleried and emerging Nigerian artists at this year’s edition of +234 Art Fair.

The ongoing art fair, aptly hosted at the Ecobank Pan-African Centre (EPAC), a 2,000-square-metre exhibition facility in Victoria Island, Lagos, is worth visiting.

Moreover, the 2026 theme offers more to visitors with its intentional focus on “Inclusivity: Widening the Frame”, a theme that resonates with the ideals of Ecobank Nigeria and Soto Gallery, the two initiators and African Finance Corporation (AFC), the major partner, among other sponsors.

For the four days the fair will run (March 5–8, 2026), it will excite participants across a diverse audience, including government officials, policymakers, members of the diplomatic corps, corporate leaders, art collectors, creatives, and enthusiasts from Nigeria and beyond.

Furthering the excitement are curated exhibitions, panel discussions, live art installations, masterclasses, workshops, and high-level networking sessions designed to deepen engagement between the arts and finance communities.

But those who have been at the free-entry exhibition can attest to the creative ingenuity of the artists and the array of creative offerings on display. From painting, photography, sculpture, digital art, and children’s art, the works speak volumes on incredible creativity.

Yet, it offers the public an immersive opportunity to engage directly with the next generation of Nigerian creatives while fostering cultural resonance, talent discovery, wealth creation, learning, networking, and social impact.

So, at the ongoing fair at the 2,000-square-metre EPAC exhibition facility, are over 400 participating artists, while on display are over 1000 art pieces exhibited across multiple mediums.

But before getting to this level, Tola Akerele, founder, SOTO Gallery, the organisers of the fair, who doubles as the GM/CEO of National Theatre, Lagos, and her team, set out on the road for 33 days across 17 states in Nigeria, looking for underserved communities.

“So, we went to the north, we went to the east, we went to the southwest as well. And we documented the trips,” Akerele said.

The efforts and sacrifices of the team paid off as more artists heard about the fair. “So, we had many more entries than we would normally have. We had over 1,500 entries this year,” Akerele enthused.

Considering that the show is curated, the team selected from the best artists, resulting in over 300 artists participating in this year’s edition of the art fair, and almost double of last year’s edition.

The above are top among the reasons the 2026 edition of the +234 Art Fair is worth visiting: the artists were well researched, more in number, amid well-curated works.

Also, apart from digital art, 2D art, fine art, sculpture, and photography, which is very strong this year, there is a documentary supported by The Osahon Okunbo Foundation (TOOF), among others.

With all these going for the art fair, Akerele, who is also the curator of the +234 Art Fair, noted that the fair is more than an exhibition. “It is a movement to amplify Nigerian voices, celebrate our stories, and connect our artists to wider markets across Africa and beyond.”

Also explaining the essence of the theme, she noted that, “Inclusivity reflects our determination to widen representation and reshape visibility within the art space.”

“We are looking at women as well. In the Nigerian art market, we find that a lot of female artists drop off after some time. Maybe they get married and there is no encouragement, no support.”

On its part, Ecobank Nigeria is excited to continue in hosting the fair, as well as impacting lives, especially artists seeking platforms to explode.

Speaking on the rationale for sponsoring the fair, Bolaji Lawal, managing director and regional executive, Ecobank Nigeria, said: “As a pan-African banking group, we recognise the transformative power of the creative sector. We are committed to providing platforms that enable African creatives, including visual artists, to access markets, visibility, and opportunities locally and internationally.”

Speaking further, Lawal, who was represented by Omoboye Odu, head, SMEs, Partnerships & Collaboration, Ecobank Nigeria, at the opening of the fair, expressed excitement at hosting the fair again at the Ecobank Pan‑African Centre, which he described as a space where finance meets creativity, where boardrooms shake hands with brushstrokes, and where capital meets canvas.

Also explaining the ‘inclusivity’ in this year’s theme, Odu noted that more doors open for young artists; more visibility for under‑represented voices; more access to markets and platforms; more conversations between art and enterprise and more collectors discovering that art appreciation can also appreciate in value.

“And honestly, if these walls could talk, they would probably say we have never looked this good,” the Ecobank executive said.

But beyond the beauty, the colours, the textures, and the conversations, the fair, according to Odu, represents something bigger.

“Nigeria’s creative economy is not just vibrant. It is investable, scalable, employable and exportable. As Ecobank, we are intentional about supporting sectors that diversify our economy, empower young people, and create sustainable value.

“Art is culture and identity. But when structured properly, art is also business— and creativity becomes a serious economic force,” Odu concluded, while looking forward to four days of inspiration, connection, transactions and transformation.

Also speaking on this year’s art fair, Samaila Zubairu, president and CEO, African Finance Corporation (AFC), said: “Now in our third year of supporting the +234 Art Fair, AFC remains committed to championing platforms that unlock the commercial and cultural value of Africa’s creative industries. The Fair reflects the power of Africa’s young, dynamic talent to drive innovation, enterprise and global cultural influence. Through our continued collaboration with Ecobank and Soto Gallery, we are proud to support an ecosystem that enables African artists to scale their reach, retain value on the continent, and position African creativity as a globally competitive economic force.”

However, credit goes to Akerele for initiating the art fair alongside the sustained hosting by Ecobank Nigeria and other partners. But the team also stands out for the success so far, amid the commitment and professionalism of its members including; Joanna Oyefeso, project manager; Eyimofe Ideh , curatorial lead; Faith Esene, curatorial assistant; Jojo Dopamu, curatorial, Digital Pavilion; Ima Ekpo, co-curator, Digital Pavilion, and Vetum Galadima, curator, Photography Pavilion.

The +234 Art Fair is an international art exhibition dedicated to young, un-galleried, emerging Nigerian artists. Its name, “+234Art,” is derived from Nigeria’s international calling code (+234) and the universal language of art — symbolising a bold expression of Nigerian creativity to the world.

The Fair is committed to nurturing and elevating Nigeria’s burgeoning art industry by providing a credible platform that supports emerging artists, stimulates art acquisition, and contributes to the growth, prosperity, and international recognition of the local art ecosystem.

Designed as a melting pot of artistic expression, the free-entry exhibition showcases painting, photography, sculpture, digital art, and children’s art.

Most importantly, the fair has recorded sustained growth across its 2024 and 2025 editions with over 18,000 visitors attended across both years, artists participation increased from 200 in 2024 to 260 in 2025, reflecting expanding reach within the creative community, more than 1,100 artworks were exhibited across multiple mediums.