National Gallery of Art Mourns the death of its pioneer Director-General, Dr.Paul Chike Dike (OON)

The Director – General, on behalf of Management and Staff of the National Gallery of Art, deeply regrets to announce the death of its pioneer Director-General, Dr. Paul Chike Dike (OON). Dr, Dike died in the evening of Thursday, 19th February, 2026 in Abuja. He was aged 82 Born on 12th June, 1944 to the Dike family in Enugu-Ukwu, Anambra State, Paul attended Christ the King school (CKS), Aba and Abbot Secondary Grammer School, Ihiala where he obtained his West African School Certificate (WASC). Dr. Dike furthered his education at the University of Ibadan; Oxford University, United Kingdom and the University of Nigeria, Nsukka where he distinguished himself in the areas of Ethnographical, Anthropological and Sociological Studies. His expertise in verbal and concrete Iconography has not only enriched our common lives but has also challenged us to the aesthetic values of life Dr. Dike rose from the ranks as Ethnographer grade 2 at the National Musuem in 1971, to Director, Training and Research from 1990-1993. He was later in 1993 appointed as Director/Chief Executive, National Gallery of Art, a position he held until his retirement in 2006. As pioneer Director-General, he laid the enviable foundation on which the gallery stands today, it is to his credit that the Gallery has 25 outstations across the 6 geopolitical zones in the country. Dr. Dike also brought in several reforms introducing both local and International programs that are still relevant today A Publisher, Writer, Historian and Editor, late Dr. Dike held so many positions and was member of numerous associations including Research Fellow, National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru; Member Nigerian Anthropological and Sociological Association;; Member, Nigerian Economic Society; Member, Art Council of the Studies Association; Member, International Committee on Monuments and Sites of Africa and interior Committee of Museums ICOMOS/ICOM; President, International Association of Critics of Art, Nigeria; Member, Rotary International; Member, order of the Niger (OON) among others May his soul rest in peace