…As 20 Nigerian Artists Showcase Masterpieces At Lagos Exhibition
What began as an idea to give emerging Nigerian artists a chance to learn from senior colleagues, 20 young painters from across Nigeria unveiled their works on Monday at the grand finale of the ‘Old Masters by Future Masters’ exhibition, held at the Museum Gallery, Freedom Park, Lagos.
The event wasn’t just an art show but the climax of two weeks of mentorship, intense learning, and discovery powered by The Osahon Okunbo Foundation (TOOF) in partnership with the Legacy Art Foundation and the Belgian Embassy in Nigeria.
The Osahon Okunbo Foundation (TOOF) sponsors art exhibition
Earlier this month, 20 artists were selected for the Lagos masterclass, led by Belgian art Professor Wouter Steel and Nigerian artist-scholar Dr. Bolaji Ogunwo. The training focused on classical European techniques while encouraging personal storytelling and experimentation. TOOF sponsored half of the participants.
Dr. Osahon Okunbo, Chairman of Wells Carlton Hotels and Apartments and founder of TOOF, sees his support for young artists as not just an act of philanthropy but a personal mission.
The Osahon Okunbo Foundation (TOOF) sponsors art exhibition
“I never set out to be a collector, you follow a feeling and after a while, you see a piece of art and it speaks to you and stays with you,” Okunbo once said about his love for art.
“These artefacts are more than just art pieces, they are a way for us to preserve our history, and a way for us to teach the next generation who we are,” he once said.
Okunbo wrote in an Instagram post after the exhibition: “There are few things I find more fulfilling than watching an idea turn into something real—something that lives, breathes, and speaks for itself.
“Standing in that room yesterday, hearing their stories—some who had never picked up a paintbrush before this workshop—and seeing what they created moved me deeply. It reminded me why we do this. Why it matters. And that this really is just the beginning.”
The exhibition, which coincided with the Belgian National Day, saw the Belgian Ambassador to Nigeria, Pieter Leenknegt, deliver the opening remarks.
The Osahon Okunbo Foundation (TOOF) sponsors art exhibition
Leenknegt applauded the collaborative effort and the creative energy behind the initiative. He also acknowledged the cultural significance of the programme and praised the young artists, master instructors, and supporting organizations for fostering meaningful international exchange.
Earlier, the Ambassador described the programme as “the long overdue meeting between the visual tricks from the Low Countries’ pictorial traditions and the strong neorealist undercurrent in Nigerian contemporary art. Tapping into that connection with a bi-national teacher duo and budding artists in Lagos is truly thrilling and holds a renewed promise for our bilateral cultural relations.”
L-R: Belgian Ambassador to Nigeria, Pieter Leenknegt, with Dr Osahon Okunbo, Founder of The Osahon Okunbo Foundation (TOOF) and Chairman, Wells Carlton Hotels and Apartments
Speaking on the sidelines, Okunbo said “I’ve been watching closely (and) getting daily updates, following along on social media, seeing the process unfold. And I’ve been in awe. Not just at the quality of the final work, but at what becomes possible when talent is met with structure, mentorship, and belief.”
“What’s on these walls is important. But what’s behind them—the process, the support, and shift in belief—is what matters most,” Okunbo affirmed.
Several artists, including Bankole Emmanuel and Clinton Juwon, saw immediate breakthroughs as their artworks were purchased during the exhibition.
Dr Osahon Okunbo (right) addresses attendees at the ‘Old Masters by Future Masters’ art exhibition in Lagos.
Niyi Adenubi, Founder of the Legacy Art Foundation, expressed his gratitude for TOOF’s partnership and sponsorship of 10 of the 20 participants.
“We are profoundly grateful to our partners, The Osahon Okunbo Foundation, who recognized the value of this endeavor and helped expand the reach of this opportunity, ensuring that twice as many artists could benefit,” Adenubi noted.
The programme builds on TOOF’s investment in Nigeria’s creative sector. Earlier in the year, the foundation sponsored the +234 Art Fair, where over 200 artists showcased more than 700 works.
Okunbo, who is the son of the late philanthropist Captain Idahosa Wells Okunbo, has also initiated programmes that target education, poverty alleviation, healthcare, entrepreneurship, and now, arts and culture through his foundation.
