Wigwe Reiterates Access Holdings’ Commitment to Empowering Africans through Arts

Dike Onwuamaeze

The Group Chief Executive Officer of Access Holdings, Mr. Herbert Wigwe, has declared that no stone would be left unturned in advancing the course of a prosperous Africa through the transformative power of arts for the empowerment of the next generation of African creative artists.

Wigwe made this declaration at the 8th edition of ART X Lagos, where he emphasised the potential contribution of the creative sector to economic development and changing stereotypical views of the continent.

He said: “At Access Holdings, our focus on changing the African narrative runs through the very core of our mission, as we firmly believe that by supporting and promoting African art, we contribute to a more accurate and balanced view of our continent.

“We recognise the potential of art to reflect the present and shape the future. Furthermore, we are cognisant of the potential contributions of the creative sector, particularly visual and contemporary art, to our continent’s GDP if our budding talents can be given the right support and structure to be seen and appreciated.

“Through our support of ART X Lagos, we aim to highlight the multifaceted brilliance of our people and the richness of our culture. In doing so, we will unabashedly celebrate the diversity and strength of the African continent, nurture relationships that transcend borders, build bridges, invest in talent, and foster collaboration on a global scale.” 

He explained that the belief was the driving force behind Access Holdings’ continued sponsorship of the Access ART X Prize in partnership with ART X Lagos, which is providing early-career artists from Africa and its diaspora with opportunities to develop their craft.

Speaking on this year’s edition, the Founder of ART X Lagos, Ms. Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, said: “ART X Lagos remains a cornerstone of the African art industry, and demonstrated with its eighth edition that it is more than a traditional art fair.

‘Our uniqueness and strength lies in our ability to gather a wide spectrum of artistic voices on one stage, ranging from a revered 91-year-old artist and prominent collectors, to the hottest new musical talents and DJs in Africa.

“We are delighted at the response from our galleries and artists, who judged the fair a resounding success. This year’s fair further entrenched our uniqueness on the world stage as an innovative multidisciplinary platform that exemplifies unity and excellence across Africa.”

She said ART X Lagos had become a symbol of empowerment for emerging artists across the continent, adding that Access Holdings’ enduring partnership as the fair’s lead sponsor has significantly expanded its reach and impact, providing even more artists with the opportunity to chase their creative dreams.