Visiting the Nike Art Gallery in Lekki: The Temple of African Art
Discover the Nike Art Gallery in Lekki Phase 1, the largest contemporary African art gallery, with over 8,000 works displayed by Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye.
Visiting Nike Art Gallery in Lekki: A Temple of African Art
The Nike Art Gallery, located in Lekki Phase 1, is one of Nigeria's most iconic cultural venues. Founded by renowned textile artist Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye, this five-story gallery houses thousands of paintings, sculptures, and traditional adornments.
Practical Information
- Address: 2 Oba Yekini Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos.
- Entry: Free (art purchases and donations welcome).
- Visit duration: 2 to 3 hours.
Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye: An Ambassador for African Textile Art
The gallery's founder, Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye, is an internationally recognized textile artist known for her work preserving and promoting traditional Adire dyeing and Aso Oke weaving techniques. Beyond her own artistic career, she has trained hundreds of apprentices through her network of art centers across Nigeria, making the Nike Art Gallery not just an exhibition space but also a hub for passing on craft skills at risk of disappearing.
A Sprawling Collection Across Five Floors
The five-story building holds more than 8,000 works organized by technique and region of origin: contemporary paintings, wood and bronze sculptures, traditional beadwork, dyed fabrics, and ceremonial masks from different Nigerian ethnic groups. This diversity lets visitors grasp the full range of the country's artistic traditions in a single visit, from Yoruba practices to Igbo and Hausa influences, rarely brought together at this scale in one space.
A Business Model Built Around Art Sales
Unlike a traditional museum, the Nike Art Gallery also functions as a commercial space where nearly all exhibited works are for sale, letting visitors leave with an original piece purchased directly from the artists or the gallery. iLagosCity recommends setting a flexible budget if buying art interests you, as prices vary considerably by size, technique, and the artist's reputation, and allowing several hours to explore all five floors without rushing. Free admission makes the visit worthwhile even without buying anything, making it an essential cultural stop for any trip to Lekki.