RMB Latitudes Art Fair Selects Nigeria for 2026 Focus Programme

Nume Ekeghe

RMB Latitudes Art Fair has announced Nigeria as the  country for its 2026 International Focus programme, an initiative that annually spotlights a different African country through exhibitions and collaborations aimed at strengthening cultural exchange across the continent.

The programme will commence with a curated exhibition opening on March 26, 2026 at Yenwa Gallery, marking the first phase of a cross-continental project connecting Nigeria and Southern Africa ahead of the fair in Johannesburg this May.

Presented in partnership with Yenwa Gallery, the programme will feature a selection of contemporary Nigerian artists whose works will first be showcased in Lagos and later presented within the Nigeria Pavilion at the fair, scheduled to hold from May 22 to 24, 2026 at Shepstone Gardens.

Nigeria Focus forms part of the fair’s expanding International Focus programme, which creates opportunities for artists, galleries and cultural practitioners across Africa to connect with collectors, curators and institutions through in-country exhibitions and presentations at the fair.

“Initiatives like the International Focus programme allow RMB Latitudes Art Fair to engage meaningfully with artists and cultural communities across Africa,” said Co-founder of Latitudes, Lucy MacGarry. “Nigeria Focus creates an opportunity to build lasting relationships between artists, collectors and institutions across our regions while bringing new perspectives into the Fair.”

Chief Executive Officer of Rand Merchant Bank Nigeria, Bayo Ajayi, said the initiative aligns with the bank’s commitment to supporting platforms that strengthen Africa’s creative economy.

“At RMB we are committed to supporting platforms that strengthen Africa’s creative economy and connect cultural communities across the continent,” he said.”

“Nigeria Focus reflects the spirit of collaboration and exchange that drives RMB Latitudes Art Fair, creating opportunities for artists and collectors to engage across borders while highlighting the extraordinary creative talent emerging from Africa.”

The Lagos exhibition will showcase works selected through an open call to artists nationwide, presenting a curated cross-section of contemporary artistic practices from across Nigeria.

“For us at Yenwa Gallery, this collaboration is about strengthening connections between Nigeria and the wider African art ecosystem,” said Ugonna Ibe-Ejiogu, Founder of Yenwa Gallery. “Initiatives like Nigeria Focus create important opportunities for artists to connect with collectors and audiences across the continent.”