Walk into the Nike Art Gallery in Lekki and you will not know where to look first. Every floor is packed with paintings, sculpture, beadwork and Adire textiles, all part of a collection reported to be among the largest of any private gallery in Africa. It is a must for anyone searching for the best art galleries in Lagos.
Quick facts
| Name | Nike Art Gallery (Nike Center for Art and Culture) |
| Location | Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, Nigeria. Sister centres in Osogbo, Abuja and Ogidi |
| Founder | Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye |
| Collection | Reported 8,000+ works across multiple floors |
Who is Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye?
Born in 1951 in Ogidi, Nike is a fifth-generation artist who learned weaving and Adire from her great-grandmother. She became a leading figure in the Osogbo art scene, and in 1974 she was one of ten African artists who toured the United States teaching and lecturing. She opened her first art centre in 1983 to teach disadvantaged women traditional skills, and her work is held in museums including the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art, the British Library and the Victoria and Albert Museum.
What you will see
- Adire textiles: hand-dyed indigo cloth made with traditional Yoruba resist-dye techniques.
- Contemporary paintings and mixed media: works by Nigerian artists from across the country.
- Large-scale sculptures and carvings: pieces that blend Yoruba cosmology with modern expression.
- Batik and beadwork: colourful craft traditions, often with live demonstrations.
Why it is a great tourist attraction
- Hands-on culture: the gallery often hosts workshops where visitors can learn indigo dyeing and weaving.
- Support real artists: the centre provides visibility and income for many Nigerian artists, and Nike’s training programmes have helped thousands of women learn crafts.
- Memorable souvenirs: original art and textiles are on sale.
- Link to Osogbo: the gallery keeps alive the spirit of the Osogbo Art Movement, which emerged from workshops held between 1962 and 1966.
Video references
Preview the gallery with Nike Art Gallery tour videos on YouTube and learn about the craft in videos on Nike Davies-Okundaye and Adire.
Visitor tips
Allow at least two hours to explore every floor. Opening hours and workshop schedules can change, so contact the gallery before you go. Learn more about the cloth itself in our guide to Adire.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Nike Art Gallery the largest in Africa?
It is widely described as the largest private art gallery in Africa or West Africa, with over 8,000 works reported across several floors.
Does Nike have centres outside Lagos?
Yes. Her centres are in Osogbo, Abuja and her hometown of Ogidi, and the Abuja centre includes a textile museum.
Explore more: Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art and Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove.
Sources: Frieze Masters and Art Basel press materials, BusinessDay and Face2Face Africa. Images are illustrative stock photos by Eva Blue and other Unsplash photographers.
