Ecobank Partners Yaba Art Museum To Strengthen Nigeria’s Creative Economy

Ecobank Nigeria has restated its commitment to nurturing Africa’s creative talent through strategic collaborations that support arts, youth development, and cultural innovation.

The bank made this known during the unveiling of the Lagos Pop-Up Museum at the Ecobank Pan African Centre in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Managing Director of Ecobank Nigeria, Bolaji Lawal, who was represented by Omoboye Odu, the Head of SMEs, Partnerships and Collaborations, said that the partnership aligns with the bank’s belief that Africa’s greatest asset is not natural resources but its people. He said that Ecobank continues to drive exhibitions, photography, and cultural projects that spark innovation, entrepreneurship, and cross-cultural exchange.

“As a pan-African bank, we have always believed Africa’s biggest asset is its talent. So, our collaboration with the collective partners is a natural fit. When art meets innovation, and banking provides the room, magic happens,” he said. He also said that the partnership also supports Yaba Art Museum’s Gown to Town initiative, which gives grassroots creativity wider visibility and real-life opportunities.

Lawal further said that the Lagos Pop-Up Museum would enrich cultural education, expand community engagement, and increase access to artistic knowledge. He explained that the initiative champions open cultural access, supports creative learning, and strengthens heritage preservation while remaining relevant to contemporary audiences.

The ongoing event, which runs until February 10, 2026, is a joint project involving Ecobank, Yaba Art Museum, the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, and the Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilisation (CBAAC). It features exhibitions, workshops, performances, innovation labs, and community-driven programmes designed to connect creative expression with social impact. Part of the project includes supporting education funding through the sale or adoption of artworks.

Dr. Deola Balogun, Art Organising Coordinator at Yaba Art Museum, said that the initiative reflects Yaba College of Technology’s drive to strengthen public collaboration. He said that the Adoption Hall was created to help raise funds for indigent students, with artists, alumni, and collectors donating works for adoption. He noted that response has been impressive since the exhibition opened.

Curatorial Director of the museum, Dr. Odun Orimolade, took journalists on a tour of the Deep Blue Hall. She said that the installation explores themes around water, environmental consciousness, and the interconnectedness of life. She described water as a metaphor, memory, and message, urging audiences to reflect on their environmental responsibilities.

According to her, the exhibition blends contemporary art, science, and ecological awareness, inviting visitors to see water as both a resource and a living force. She said that  the section includes archival materials from CBAAC’s FESTAC ’77 collection, some of which are being displayed publicly for the first time.

The Lagos Pop-Up Museum continues to position art as a tool for social transformation, with Ecobank and its partners helping to expand creative opportunities and support Nigeria’s growing cultural economy.

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