About a month ago, Governor Dapo Abiodun stood at the base of Olumo Rock, one of Nigeria’s most iconic heritage sites, and asked a bold question: Why does this place, rich in culture and history, only attract 20,000 visitors a year? His answer? It shouldn’t.
Now, that moment of reflection is turning into a major creative opportunity for young Nigerians. In a powerful collaboration between the Ogun State Government and Nigeria’s legendary Nike Art Gallery, Olumo Rock is about to become more than a photo-op; it’s being reborn as a cultural hub that could change the game for artists, creators, and local businesses.
A Rock. A Gallery. A Statement.
This week, Governor Abiodun announced that an underused events hall at Olumo Rock will be transformed into a permanent exhibition space curated and run by Nike Art Gallery. Yes, the Nike Art Gallery, the home of iconic Nigerian art, with global recognition and multiple branches across Nigeria.
“We want to restore Olumo Rock to its old glory,” Abiodun said. “If 20,000 people visit it now, I believe we can attract at least 100,000 with the right upgrades.”
And those upgrades are happening fast. The governor wants the gallery ready before Ogun hosts the National Sports Festival in May, when over 15,000 visitors are expected to descend on the state. And when they arrive, they won’t just see a rock, they’ll experience Nigeria’s cultural soul, told through brushstrokes, fabric, music, and digital storytelling.
Why This Matters for Young Nigerians
Nigeria’s creative economy is one of the few sectors where young people are thriving despite the odds. Whether it’s fashion, photography, painting, film, or digital content, youth are building brands and finding their voices. But access, especially access to spaces that elevate and expose their work, is still a major challenge.
This partnership is different. It’s not just a gallery opening; it’s a statement that art and culture are not side hustles, they’re pillars of our economy, and Ogun is betting on them.
Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye, the woman behind the gallery, gets this better than anyone.
“This gallery will bring many heads of state,” she said. “The one I opened in Abuja already had presidents from South Korea, the Czech Republic, and more. The same will happen here.”
Translation? Your art, your culture, your creativity, on a world stage.
Adire: More Than a Fabric, It’s a Future
No conversation about Ogun’s cultural power is complete without Adire, the traditional tie-and-dye fabric that has been reimagined by a new generation of fashion creatives. Davies-Okundaye praised Ogun for keeping the flame alive.
“Adire is all over Nigeria, but Ogun has been promoting it for over 50 years,” she said. “Today, the only cloth we can truly call our own is Adire. This is what we can sell to the Europeans.”
And the governor is backing that up with action, from the Adire Ogun Digital Marketplace to policies making Adire part of school uniforms and public events. The government even provides solar-powered equipment for artisans to scale production. For young fashion designers, textile illustrators, and e-commerce entrepreneurs, this isn’t just heritage, it’s a blueprint for a viable business.
The Bigger Picture: Infrastructure, Not Just Intention
So, how will tourists actually get to Olumo Rock?
Abiodun had an answer ready: “You can come by road, rail, or air. And soon, even by sea.”
From improved road networks to Ogun’s new international airport, the state is pairing its creative ambitions with actual infrastructure. This could open new doors for digital creators and vendors who’ve struggled with logistics and mobility.
Even more, the governor also announced a creative arts and entertainment village, being built in partnership with Bolanle Austen-Peters, expected to be completed in just two months. Think: performance spaces, artist studios, training hubs, all designed with young people in mind
So, What Now?
If you’re a young Nigerian creative, this is your signal. Whether you’re a painter with a dream, a videographer capturing culture, a fashion designer turning Adire into catwalk statements, or a tour guide trying to build a digital brand, Ogun is building a stage for you.
This isn’t just about revamping a rock, it’s about redefining what’s possible when government, art, and youth intersect. So maybe the question isn’t why is Olumo Rock only attracting 20,000 people a year?
Maybe it’s how will you be ready when the next 100,000 walk through that gate?
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