No be small gist o! Lagos don land for top of the world map as one of the best art destinations wey people suppose waka go for 2026. Artsy, wey sabi everything wey concern art, don put Lagos for di list alongside places like Venice and Sydney. Dem call Lagos ‘West Africa’s preeminent art capital’. Na wetin Gboyega Akosile, wey be Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, talk for di official announcement wey drop some days ago.
The gist dey sweetwell as dem release di article, ‘7 Art Destinations to Visit in 2026’, wey highlight Lagos as one of di key spots to dey plan your travel itinerary. Dis report no be just any small talk, e dey show say Lagos dey rise sharply as di commercial and creative engine of African contemporary art. Dem dey expect say as 2026 dey approach, di momentum go still dey increase.
Wetin dey hot for Lagos? First, di fifth edition of di Lagos Biennial go drop from October 17th to December 18th. Dis biennial na serious matter wey plenty art lovers go gather come see wetin Folakunle Oshun dey curate. Di theme dis year na ‘The Museum of Things Unseen’, wey go reflect plenty cultural and ancestral history wey dey so rich for Lagos.
As dem dey plan di artsy celebration, di Àkéte Collection – Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art go open him permanent home for di city by October. Dis one go turn am to ‘living archive’ for Africa, plenty history dey for road.
But no be only di biennial wey dey happen. Di ART X Lagos fair go run from November 5th to 8th. Na di founder, Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, go make sure say di young artists from Naija no need travel abroad to showcase their art. She get vision to bring di world come meet our home!
Di momentum wey Lagos dey experience na as a result of di fast-evolving arts community wey dey push boundary every time. Galleries like Rele, kó, Ogirikan Art Gallery, and Nike Art Gallery dey support artists wey dey do di movement for contemporary African discourse. Plus, places like di John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History dey ground new work for historical narratives. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu na di person wey dey shout say dis recognition na proof of di state government’s commitment to create better opportunities for di creative sector.
Di yawa no dey here o; di government dey plan to ensure say Lagos go be number one destination for arts, culture, and tourism in di future. E don promise say dem go continue to invest for di creative sector wey our youths dey display plenty talents. Wetin we go use find better things if not to support our artists?
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