Ecobank Nigeria, Soto Gallery to Champion Inclusivity at +234 Art Fair 2026

By Modupe Gbadeyanka

Details of the 2026 edition of the +234 Art Fair slated for the Ecobank Pan‑African Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos, have emerged.

The event, in its third season, organised by Ecobank Nigeria and Soto Galley, will take place from March 5 to 8, 2026, with the theme Inclusivity, underscoring the shared commitment of the organisers to creative entrepreneurship, equitable access, and the deliberate expansion of opportunity within Nigeria’s contemporary art ecosystem.

“Inclusivity is about opening doors wider and changing who gets seen, supported, and celebrated. We are already receiving exceptional works from artists who might otherwise not have access to platforms like this. The application remains open, and I encourage Nigerian artists to seize this opportunity to be recognised among the continent’s finest,” the founder of Soto Gallery, Ms Tola Akerele, said.

The Head of SME Partnerships and Collaborations at Ecobank Nigeria, Ms Omoboye Odu, described the 2026 fair as a purposeful intervention aimed at reshaping how Nigerian creativity is discovered, supported, and sustained.

“For the third edition of the +234 Art Fair, we celebrate Inclusivity as both a principle and a practice. Art belongs to everyone. This fair intentionally broadens the frame—moving beyond traditional centres of access to spotlight talent from the margins, from new geographies, and from voices that deserve to be heard.

“If you are an artist working across boundaries, challenging perspectives, or creating outside established systems, this is your moment. +234 Art Fair 2026 is about building a more equitable creative future—together.”

The +234 Art Fair has quickly established itself as one of Lagos’ most important contemporary art platforms, with a distinct focus on emerging and often ungalleried Nigerian artists.

In just a few years, the fair has become a critical gateway—connecting local talent to collectors, patrons, cultural institutions, and global audiences, while strengthening Nigeria’s creative economy.

This year’s programme is expected to attract a diverse audience, including art lovers from across Nigeria, residents of the African diaspora, senior government officials, policymakers, members of the diplomatic community, collectors, and global art enthusiasts.