Ecobank boosts creative economy with Art fair

Ecobank Nigeria has expressed its commitment to boost the country’s creative sector with its continuous partnership to host +234Art Fair. The third edition of +234Art Fair, themed: ‘Inclusivity’ and organised by the Soto Gallery in collaboration with the bank, will hold between March 5 – 8, 2026, in Lagos. Speaking yesterday at the press conference, […]

Ecobank Nigeria has expressed its commitment to boost the country’s creative sector with its continuous partnership to host +234Art Fair.

The third edition of +234Art Fair, themed: ‘Inclusivity’ and organised by the Soto Gallery in collaboration with the bank, will hold between March 5 – 8, 2026, in Lagos.

Speaking yesterday at the press conference, the bank’s head, SME, partnership, and collaboration, Omoboye Odu said this year’s edition is aimed at creating an enabling environment for creative entrepreneurs to thrive.

“Inclusivity means more doors for young artists, more visibility, and more access to markets and platforms,” she said.

She expressed the bank’s commitment to amplify the voices of the creative entrepreneurs, adding that the bank is aimed at solving financial inclusions.

“Ecobank was initially set up to solve financial inclusion challenges. In the creative sector, you have the art sector.

“Ultimately, we want to create this platform, where everybody has access to the platform, whether they’re working with co-founders or co-partners. 

“And we want artists to have access to the platform. Ultimately, we want a platform where people in Nigeria have this global access to inspirations,” she said.

The Founder SOTO +234 gallery GM/ CEO National Theatre, Tola Akerele, underscored the thriving economy in the creative sector, saying the fair would empower emerging creatives to showcase their artworks.

 

 

 

“A platform like this allows interaction and more economic exchange. Art is actually commanding big money in Nigeria. The most successful Nigerian artists run well in millions of dollars.

 

 

 

“So art is very important, it’s very key and tends to be a huge market. So we shouldn’t undervalue what we are doing,” she said.