NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART, KWARA STATE UNIVERSITY STRENGTHEN PARTNERSHIP ON PROPOSED MUSEUM ACADEMY PROJECT.

The National Gallery of Art (NGA) has reaffirmed its commitment to establishing the proposed National Gallery of Art Museum Academy at Kwara State University (KWASU), describing the initiative as a landmark project that will strengthen arts education, promote innovation, and drive the growth of Nigeria’s creative economy.
This commitment was reiterated by the Director-General of the National Gallery of Art, Mr. Bashir Ahmed Sodangi, during a follow-up meeting with a delegation from Kwara State University held at the NGA Boardroom, Abuja.
The meeting, which commenced at 12:00 noon, was coordinated by Ms. Ngozi John Uyah, who welcomed the visiting delegation led by the Vice-Chancellor of Kwara State University, Professor Shaykh Luqman Jimoh, accompanied by the Dean, Environmental Sciences, and Head of KWASU, Osi campus, Professor Binta Salyman. She also introduced some members of the NGA management in attendance.
The visit was aimed at consolidating the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) previously signed between the National Gallery of Art and Kwara State University to establish the proposed National Gallery of Art Museum Academy on land allocated by the university.
Welcoming the delegation, Mr. Sodangi expressed appreciation to the management of Kwara State University for the warm reception accorded the NGA delegation during the signing of the MoU in Ilorin.
“The proposed National Gallery of Art Museum Academy is a key component of the Gallery’s strategic roadmap to establish art hubs across tertiary institutions in Nigeria, particularly those with Faculties of Arts and Departments of Fine and Visual Arts. This initiative is designed to unlock the economic potential of the visual arts through innovation, storytelling, value addition, and the deployment of emerging technologies such as Artificial Intelligence,” he said.
The Director-General commended Professor Binta Salyman for her dedication to the project and announced September 2026 as the target timeline for key activities that will formally launch the initiative, underscoring the Gallery’s commitment to its successful implementation.
He further disclosed that the project has attracted encouraging interest from private sector organisations and corporate bodies willing to support its implementation through strategic partnerships and funding.
Responding on behalf of the university, the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Shaykh Luqman Jimoh, appreciated the warm reception accorded his delegation and reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to the partnership.
“Having carefully reviewed the provisions of the Memorandum of Understanding, Kwara State University is fully prepared to work with the National Gallery of Art to ensure the successful realization of this visionary project. We are committed to building a mutually beneficial relationship and look forward to welcoming the Director-General to our university,” he stated”.
Describing the initiative as a legacy project, Mr. Sodangi noted that the Museum Academy would serve as a national model for similar art hubs, contributing significantly to arts education, cultural preservation, and the development of Nigeria’s creative economy.
Heads of the Gallery’s core professional departments also pledged their technical and professional support towards the successful implementation of the project.
The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the Deputy Director overseeing the office of the Director, Special Duties, Mrs. Vera Chijioke. She commended the Director-General for his visionary leadership in championing the Museum Academy initiative and strengthening the partnership between the National Gallery of Art and Kwara State University.