Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has lauded Lagos as a global epicentre of creativity, describing it as one of the most culturally dynamic cities in the world alongside London. His remarks came during a recent visit to Nigeria, where he engaged with key figures in the countryโs art, music, and film sectors.
At the Nike Art Gallery โ one of West Africaโs largest centres for visual arts โ Khan commended the galleryโs role in preserving Nigeriaโs rich artistic heritage and nurturing young talent. โLondon and Lagos are two of the most culturally dynamic cities in the world,โ he posted on X (formerly Twitter). โFantastic to see Nike Art Gallery while in Lagos.โ
Founded by iconic artist Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye, the gallery houses an extensive collection of traditional and contemporary Nigerian art and functions as a training ground for emerging artists.
Khan also attended a high-profile cultural evening hosted by media mogul Mo Abudu at EbonyLife Place in Lagos. The event, which brought together industry leaders from Nollywood and the Afrobeats scene, celebrated the vibrant cultural ties between London and Nigeria.
โFrom Nollywood legends to Afrobeats giants, Lagosโ creative energy is unmatched,โ Khan noted in another social media post. โLast night, I joined Mo Abudu at EbonyLife Place to celebrate the global talent and cultural connection between London and Nigeria.โ
The mayorโs visit forms part of a broader initiative to deepen cultural and economic relations between the UK and Nigeria, especially within the creative industries.