Onobrakpeya urges Tinubu to boost arts sector support
Cultural advocate Mudiare Onobrakpeya has written to President Bola Tinubu urging stronger government support for Nigeria's arts sector ahead of his UK state visit. The appeal, published Tuesday, calls for allocating a fixed percentage of public infrastructure budgets to art, establishing a national modern art museum, creating a digital heritage archive, and increasing international exhibition support. Onobrakpeya, an artist and curator, argues these measures are investments in a sector that has demonstrated economic and cultural value. He notes Nigeria's growing global art recognition but points to fragile domestic support structures. The Tate Modern exhibition in London, featuring Nigerian modernism from the 1940s-2000s, underscores the country's cultural influence. Onobrakpeya suggests embedding art in schools, hospitals and civic buildings to integrate culture into daily life. He highlights institutions like the Bruce Onobrakpeya Foundation and Art X Lagos as key drivers of visibility for emerging artists, operating without strong government backing.