Lagos — In celebration of five decades of cultural exchange between Nigeria and the United States, the U.S. Mission in Nigeria honored three iconic Nigerian artists — Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye, Chief Jimoh Buraimoh, and Professor Bruce Onobrakpeya — with the prestigious U.S. Exchange Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award.
These legendary artists were first introduced to the United States over 50 years ago through the U.S. Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). The ceremony gathered an esteemed audience, including political leaders, diplomats, arts curators, collectors, and alumni from various U.S. government exchange programs.
U.S. Ambassador Richard Mills presented each artist with a commemorative certificate, recognizing their lifelong contributions to the arts, mentorship of emerging creatives, and the lasting cultural bridge they have fostered between Nigeria and the United States. Ambassador Mills emphasized the U.S. government’s commitment to supporting programs that promote cultural exchange, artistic expression, and the preservation of heritage within Nigeria’s creative industries.
“Art has the power to connect people and communities across the world,” said Ambassador Mills. “This is why we supported these programs 50 years ago, support them now, and will continue supporting them into the future.”
Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye, founder of Nigeria’s renowned Nike Art Gallery, has inspired countless artists through her expertise in adire and batik. Her work is displayed globally, including at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art. Reflecting on the impact of the U.S. exchange program, she said, “Participating in this program has opened new perspectives that shaped my career and personal growth.”
Chief Jimoh Buraimoh, celebrated for his bead paintings, remarked on the transformative experience of the 1974 exchange program. “Going to the U.S. gave me an incredible opportunity to share my work widely and mentor the next generation of artists,” said Buraimoh, whose works have been showcased internationally.
At 92, Professor Bruce Onobrakpeya continues to be a prominent figure in Nigerian visual arts, known for his contributions across various mediums. “I am excited and encouraged,” he noted, “and I will continue to support future talent.” Onobrakpeya, who illustrated Chinua Achebe’s No Longer at Ease, has exhibited globally, with his work currently featured at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC.
The event was organized in collaboration with the Rele Arts Foundation and Lauren Tate Baeza, Curator of African Art at the High Museum of Art, with support from Delta Airlines. This milestone highlighted the enduring U.S.-Nigeria connection in the arts and the 50-year Sister Cities partnership between Lagos and Atlanta.
