The Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture (LSCAC) proudly commemorated the 2026 World Art Day with a thought-provoking panel discussion themed “Art Appreciation: How Far Nigeria?”. The event was held recently at NECA House, Kano Hall, CBD Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
World Art Day is celebrated globally to honour creativity and cultural expression, offering an opportunity to reflect on the role of art in shaping societies. In line with this, LSCAC convened distinguished scholars, practitioners, and cultural advocates to engage in an intellectual discourse examining Nigeria’s journey in art appreciation, its challenges, and prospects.
Representing the Honourable Commissioner, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, and the Special Adviser, Mr. Idris Aregbe, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture (MTAC), Princess Adebopo Oyekan-Ismaila, delivered a resounding keynote address at the event.
In her remarks, Princess Oyekan-Ismaila reiterated the Lagos State Government’s unwavering commitment to promoting cultural development, supporting artists, and creating platforms for intellectual engagement. She described the panel discourse as enlightening and inspiring, noting that it offered fresh perspectives on the role of art in national progress. She further expressed appreciation for the insightful discussions, commending the organisers and participants for shedding light on the importance of art appreciation in national development.
She raised critical questions on the distinction between art and tradition, urging stakeholders to increase public awareness that art extends beyond traditional practices to encompass creativity, innovation, identity, and expression. She also emphasised the need for both Muslim and Christian communities to better appreciate and support traditional art in ways that foster unity, cultural preservation and societal growth.
The panel explored pressing issues around the visibility of Nigerian art, the evolving role of cultural institutions, and the impact of art on national identity and global recognition. By fostering dialogue among experts and enthusiasts, LSCAC reinforced Lagos State’s position as a cultural hub in Africa.
Speaking at the event, the Director of LSCAC, Mr. Idowu Johnson, represented by Mr. Olumide Somoye, highlighted the importance of the discourse. He stated that art is not only a reflection of heritage but also a driver of innovation and unity. He noted that this year’s theme challenges Nigerians to evaluate how far the nation has come in appreciating art and how much further it must go.
The panel featured distinguished professionals and scholars, including Mrs. Titilayo Adebayo, Mrs. Grace Oladuwa, Prof. Abiodun Akande, Prof. Michael Oyinloye, and moderator Mr. Rasheed Amodu.
The panel collectively underscored that art appreciation is vital for preserving cultural identity, promoting social cohesion and encouraging creative innovation. They recommended increased support for artists through improved education, cultural policy development, and stronger institutional frameworks.
They also called for the integration of arts education into primary school curricula to expose children early to creativity, heritage, and cultural preservation. Furthermore, they emphasised the need to strengthen cultural advocacy by fostering collaboration between government, cultural organisations, religious bodies and the creative community.
In conclusion, the 2026 World Art Day celebration organised by LSCAC was a resounding success, bridging academic perspectives, cultural realities and public discourse. The event encouraged Nigerians to take pride in and actively support their artistic heritage, while reinforcing the transformative power of art in education, communication, spirituality, advocacy, and national development.
Present at the event were distinguished arts professionals, traditional chiefs, directors and the management and staff of both MTAC and LSCAC.
