‘We are proud of Okundaye’

“From Lokoja in Kogi State, to Lagos, Abuja, Oshogbo, and beyond Nigeria, she has carried African culture on her shoulders and shown the world the beauty of her artistic and traditional art. Through her hard work, creativity and generosity, she has trained and empowered countless young Nigerians. Today, many families are earning a living because of the opportunities she created.

“Mama Nike, we are proud of you. Kogi state is proud of you. Nigeria is proud of you. Naming this institute after you is not just an honour, it is a sincere thank you. It is therefore my honour to commission and inaugurate this lovely project,” he added. 

In a chat with Arts Editors in Lagos, Okundaye disclosed that she will maintain the facility for 10 years before transferring it to the centre, even though she shared her earnings into three parts in order to undertake the project till completion. “We will provide teachers for the workshop and artists in residence,” she reassured. 

Continuing, she said: “We cannot wait for government to do everything for us. I am not doing it for money. Whatever we can do as individual, we should do it to grow our nation. Government cannot meet everybody’s needs. The workshop is open to all students, not only fine artists.”

She recalled that she started her career in 1967 from Kogi state and had always wanted to do something for the state because nothing much was known of Kogi in terms of creativity.

According to her, she decided to take the gallery and workshop facility to Federal University in Lokoja designed after Mbari. This, she said, is to prepare the young artists to have the hope of getting market for their artworks.

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“Youths are future of the country and not all will get white collar job. The project was a 2-year project, but thank God it was completed on schedule. The Governor was happy that I did something for the state, which was my first time. I donated a bus to the workshop/ gallery, and participation of students will be free. The university has department of Fine Arts,” she said.

On the challenges she faced completing the project, she said: “My village workshop is for older women learning cloth weaving. But, the Lokoja center will focus on creating contemporary artworks. Right now, there are two artists in residence for three months. But, 50 artists will register for every three months. Incoming Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof Gbenga Ibileye commended Okundaye saying that this year, he would turn the facility to a massive tourist attraction, announcing that the university will bestow a professor of practice on Okundaye in recognition of her contributions to arts. Project Coordinator is Rev Father Paul-Kolade Tubi. 

Nike University Gallery, Nike Institute of African Heritage and Museum Studies, Fedewral University, Lokoja Kogi state

Commissioned on Feb 9, 2026,