Ecobank Nigeria and  Soto Gallery have announced plans to host the third edition of the +234 Art Fair, from 5–8 March, 2026 at the Ecobank Pan‑African Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.

 

 

Tagged:  “Inclusivity,” the Art Fair underscores Ecobank and Soto Gallery’s shared commitment to creative entrepreneurship, equitable access, and deliberate expansion of opportunity within Nigeria’s contemporary art ecosystem.

 

 

The +234 Art Fair has quickly established itself as one of Lagos’ most important contemporary art platforms, with a distinct focus on emerging and often ungalleried Nigerian artists. In just a few years, the fair has become a critical gateway—connecting local talent to collectors, patrons, cultural institutions, and global audiences, while strengthening Nigeria’s creative economy.

 

 

Speaking on the 2026 edition, Founder of Soto Gallery and Curator of the +234 Art Fair, Tola Akerele,  described the Fair’s theme as reflecting a clear intent to widen representation and reposition visibility within the art space.

 

 

“Inclusivity is about opening doors wider and changing who gets seen, supported, and celebrated,” she said. “We are already receiving exceptional works from artists who might otherwise not have access to platforms like this. The application remains open, and I encourage Nigerian artists to seize this opportunity to be recognised among the continent’s finest,” Akerele added.

 

 

Also commenting, Head, SME Partnerships and Collaborations at Ecobank Nigeria, Omoboye Odu described the 2026 fair as a purposeful intervention aimed at reshaping how Nigerian creativity is discovered, supported, and sustained.

 

 

“For the third edition of the +234 Art Fair, we celebrate Inclusivity as both a principle and a practice,” Odu said. “Art belongs to everyone. This fair intentionally broadens the frame—moving beyond traditional centres of access to spotlight talent from the margins, from new geographies, and from voices that deserve to be heard.

 

 

“If you are an artist working across boundaries, challenging perspectives, or creating outside established systems, this is your moment. +234 Art Fair 2026 is about building a more equitable creative future—together,” she added.