A heartfelt welcome to Mufu Onifade. An invaluable presence at WAES Summit 2025 @waesummit.
Mufu Onifade @onifademufu is a Nigerian painter, writer, and cultural visionary, celebrated as the creator of Araism—a richly layered painting technique grounded in African aesthetics and philosophy. With a career spanning over three decades, he has exhibited across Nigeria, Europe, the U.S., and beyond, including at the International Art Expo in Las Vegas and the Goethe-Institut in Lagos. A graduate of Obafemi Awolowo University, Onifade also trained in Ethiopia under master artist Lemma Guya, becoming the first Nigerian to professionally paint on animal skin. Through the Araism Movement and his Lagos-based Ara Studio, he has mentored a generation of artists while also contributing to critical arts writing and curatorial practice. His work bridges innovation and tradition, placing him among West Africa’s most influential creative voices.
This landmark collaboration has been made possible by The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, managed by IICD Center @iicdcenter1 , and the passionate backing of Minister Yusuf Maitama Tuggar @yusufmaitamatuggar and the ever-inspiring Mr. Nduwhite Ndubisi Ahanonu @nduwhite , this collaboration embodies a powerful commitment to celebrating and amplifying African creativity on a global platform.
iBAND Magazine 