The Director General of the National Gallery of Art (NGA), Ahmed Bashir Sodangi, has reaffirmed the institution's strong commitment to building a national art collection, advancing cultural diplomacy, and driving strategic growth initiatives. This declaration came as he outlined the significant milestones the NGA achieved throughout the transformative year of 2025.
A Transformative Year for National Art Collection
Sodangi stressed that 2025 was a pivotal year for the NGA, greatly enhancing its role within Nigeria's cultural framework. He detailed how focused efforts on the national art collection, including strategic discussions on its documentation, valuation, and preservation, have successfully reshaped how the collection is perceived. It is now recognized not merely as a storehouse of cultural heritage but as a vital economic asset for the nation.
Expanding Partnerships and Public Engagement
To solidify its institutional standing, the NGA actively collaborated with a diverse range of cultural organisations, festivals, corporate bodies, and key stakeholders in the creative sector. These partnerships have established the NGA as a central hub for collaboration, significantly broadening opportunities for program delivery and mobilising resources. Through these initiatives, the NGA aims to enrich cultural dialogue and encourage wider public participation in the arts, ultimately elevating the status of Nigeria's artistic heritage both locally and internationally.
Sodangi emphasised that active participation in national and international cultural events, exhibitions, and diplomatic engagements has substantially boosted the visibility of both the NGA and Nigeria's visual arts scene, reinforcing the institution's role in cultural diplomacy. He also noted that leveraging media and digital platforms, along with curated storytelling, has enhanced public awareness and strengthened the NGA's institutional brand.
Policy Alignment and Future Vision for 2026
The NGA's Director General reiterated the institution's dedication to championing Nigerian artists across all generations, supporting exhibitions and programs that celebrate the nation's artistic legacy while amplifying contemporary voices. He stated that the NGA's programs are intentionally aligned with national policy objectives in culture, tourism, and the creative economy, positioning art as a crucial catalyst for economic growth and nation-building.
"2025 has been a crucial year for us," Sodangi concluded. "It has allowed the National Gallery of Art to refocus, rebuild confidence, and reconnect with the communities we serve. As we turn our attention toward 2026, we aim to implement practical solutions that facilitate artists’ cross-border mobility and create direct pathways for artists to reach the markets that need their work. These steps are essential for the sustainable thriving of Nigerian art, both domestically and internationally."
