This year 2025, has experienced a monumental rise in Nigeria’s art ecosystem from new galleries and artist – run spaces to bold curatorial experiments and increased International presence. It is a year that signals confidence, continuity and creative courage within the Nigerian art scene. It is this identified creative courage that Fobally Art World Africa seeks to celebrate through its 4th edition of Fobally Art World Africa Art Competition.

Words Ireho Aito | Don’t Keep Your Art in the Finger!

This November, Lagos once again becomes the meeting point of creativity and culture as Fobally Art World Africa unveils the 2025 edition of its annual art competition, a showcase of brilliance, imagination, and the boundless spirit of African expression.

From November 10th to 20th, 2025, the Fobally Art Gallery in Lekki will come alive with colour and conversation. Walls will hum with stories told through texture and pigment, and young artists from across the country will stand shoulder to shoulder, all united by a shared desire to create. The grand finale, slated for Thursday, November 20th, at the Oriental Hotel, promises to be a celebration of artistic excellence and vision.

At its core, the competition is not just a contest but a community. It is going to be a gathering of minds that believe in art as a living force. Each edition draws in painters, sculptors, ceramicists, and photographers who speak through their materials, exploring identity, environment, and memory. In their hands, art becomes both mirror and message reflecting Nigeria’s changing landscape while preserving the heritage that shapes it.

Behind this vision stands Fobally Art World Africa, an organization committed to nurturing creativity and preserving Africa’s artistic legacy. Through exhibitions, mentorships, and education, Fobally continues to build bridges between tradition and innovation, ensuring that art remains a vital part of contemporary African life.

This year’s panel of judges reflects that same balance between experience and vision. Dr. Adekunle Adeyemi, former Dean, School of Art, Design and Printing, Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, brings a lifetime of educational leadership. Alongside him is Dr. Aderinsoye Ademorin Aladegbongbe, Chief Lecturer in the Department of Fine Art at Yabatech, a mentor whose influence is evident in many rising talents today.

Adding a voice of creative empathy is Edna A. R. Wyse-Ekenimoh, a versatile artist and art educator whose 23 years of mentoring have shaped countless emerging creatives. Representing the intersection of media and art is Ireho Aito, Editor-in-Chief of iBAND Magazine, whose platform celebrates African visual arts from an authentic, local perspective. Completing the panel is Akintayo Akintobi, an Adjunct Professor at East Tennessee State University, USA bringing a global academic insight to the Nigerian art dialogue.

Together, they form a circle of guidance, experience, and curiosity. This is a jury not just to evaluate, but to also inspire. Their combined voices would ensure that every piece of work is seen, every story heard, and every artist encouraged to grow beyond boundaries.

For many participants, the Fobally competition represents more than exposure. And according to the CEO and Creative Director at Fobally, Folasade Abiola, “it is a rite of passage. The competition is where young artists first encounter collectors, critics, and mentors; where friendships are formed and careers begin to take shape. 2025 alone has experienced a monumental jump in the art ecosystem in terms of creativity, participation, and youth engagement.”

This year’s edition of the Aspire Art Competition continues to fuel that momentum. For the Secondary Schools category, the theme “Paint Your Aspire Lagos” invites young artists to capture their visions of the city’s spirit, energy, and promise. Meanwhile, the Undergraduate category takes a broader view with “Paint Your Aspire Nation”, challenging emerging creatives to interpret what aspiration and national identity mean to them through art. Together, these themes underscore a growing movement of one that places young voices at the heart of Nigeria’s cultural renaissance.

As Fobally Art World Africa continues to champion artistic discovery, the 2025 edition stands as a testament to what happens when art meets opportunity. It is an affirmation that creativity remains one of Nigeria’s greatest exports.