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By Abdullah Ahmed
State Government, NGO honour Fela Anikulapo-Kuti with retrospective exhibition
Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has said the establishment of the Institute of Contemporary African Arts and Films (ICAAF) is aimed at advancing cultural education, nurturing creative talents and promoting the growth of the creative industry.
The Governor stated this in Ilorin while declaring open the Exhibition of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti: A Retrospective, organised by the June Creative Art Advisory (JCAA) in partnership with the Kwara State Government.
Held at the ICAAF, also known as the Visual Arts Centre, the exhibition will run until December 31, 2026, celebrating the life, music and enduring influence of the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, regarded as one of Africa’s most influential cultural figures.
AbdulRazaq said the institute was designed to promote cultural education, encourage creative enterprise, attract visitors and strengthen Kwara State’s position in Nigeria’s cultural and creative landscape.
“Our ambition is for ICAAF to advance cultural education, encourage creative enterprise, attract visitors and strengthen Kwara’s place in Nigeria’s cultural and creative landscape.
“Its success will be measured by the talents it nurtures, ideas it inspires and opportunities it creates,” the Governor said.
He described cultural infrastructure as an important tool for connecting people with their history, broadening their imagination and encouraging critical thinking.
“Physical infrastructure connects places; cultural infrastructure connects people to their history, expands their imagination and challenges their thinking.
“We built ICAAF to preserve African stories, nurture talent and showcase our artists and thinkers to the world,” he added.
The Governor said opening the institute with an exhibition dedicated to Fela was particularly significant, describing the late musician as an artist whose work challenged conventions and raised critical questions about power, freedom, identity and justice.
AbdulRazaq commended the family of the late music icon and JCAA for organising the exhibition, noting that Fela’s life demonstrated the power of art to preserve history, challenge ideas, inspire courage and transform society.
He urged researchers, students, artists and young people to take advantage of the facility to deepen their knowledge, develop their talents and explore the economic opportunities available in the creative industry.
“For students, this is a classroom beyond the classroom; for artists, inspiration; for researchers, an opportunity for deeper inquiry; and for young people, a reminder that creativity offers both self-expression and economic opportunity,” he said.
The event was attended by the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly and APC governorship candidate, Rt. Hon. Salihu Yakubu Danladi; members of the state cabinet; Fela’s daughter, Mrs Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti; and the founder and convener of JCAA, Mrs Seun Alli.
Also present were Nollywood actors Alhaji Yinka Qodir, Ibrahim Chatta and Yahaya Habeeb Olatunji, popularly known as Baba Kamo, among other dignitaries.
In her remarks, the Commissioner for Communications, Hon. Bola Olukoju, urged young people in Kwara State interested in printing, photography, filmmaking, fashion and design to utilise the institute to develop their skills, learn from others and showcase their talents.
Olukoju said the exhibition aligned with her ministry’s mandate to promote stories, talents and creative expressions that shape the identity of the people.
“Today’s exhibition offers us an opportunity to revisit the life and works of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and appreciate how his family, his music, ideas and artistic expressions continue to influence generations,” she said.
Fela’s daughter, Mrs Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti, commended the Governor for honouring her late father, despite his not being from Kwara State.
“ K wara State, thank you very much. Fela was not from Kwara State, but you have recognised him in a way that I think is commendable,” she said.
The founder and convener of JCAA, Mrs Seun Alli, explained that the exhibition takes visitors through different stages of Fela’s life, including his family background, early years, musical evolution and political activism.
She said the exhibition also highlights the late musician’s determination to use his voice and artistic expression to challenge prevailing social and political conditions.
Speaking on behalf of the film and entertainment industry, Alhaji Yinka Qodir described Kwara State as a home of gifted and successful thespians, including veteran actor Bello Salami.
Qodir thanked the Governor for recognising established practitioners in the industry and supporting efforts to nurture emerging talents.
