By Milton Tella – Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the UK, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola has embarked on cultural and economic diplomacy through collaboration with Victoria & Albert Museum (V&A), The British Museum and culture stakeholders.

Since his arrival in London in May 2021, Ambassador Isola has been focusing on different ways to rebrand the image of Nigeria. He believes that cultural diplomacy is an important tool to improve relationships.

Ambassador Isola, who is prioritising culture said, “My mission is to strengthen the relationship between Britain and Nigeria in all fronts, especially, through a sustained people to people relationship via sport, culture and the arts as against government-to-government official relationship only.”

The Ambassador, on Tuesday, 17 August 2021, met with directors of leading British arts organisations, artists and culture stakeholders to explore ways for collaboration in a bid to introduce the intention of his administration’s formal plans. 

Speaking during his visit to Victoria & Albert Museum with Dr. Gus Casely-Hayford OBE, Director V&A East and his team comprising of Nick Marchand, Head of International Programmes, Ambassador Isola said, “The High Commission London will collaborate with V & A to deliver on the forthcoming Africa Fashion Exhibition.”

The Africa Fashion at the Victoria & Albert Museum is to focus on the African Fashion scene, a scene that is as electric, varied, diverse and dynamic as its people. 

Africa Fashion is scheduled to open in June 2022 and will run until April 2023 showcasing the creativity on the continent.

The Africa Fashion exhibition tells a story of fashion as a self-defining art form, a kind of movement culture that goes beyond individual garments, to encompass attitude, gesture and style.

The line up includes contemporary couture, ready-to-wear, made-to-order to street-style sartorialists, featuring leading twentieth century designers such as Ghanaian Kofi Ansah, Chris Seydou from Mali, Shade Thomas-Fahm from Nigeria and Alphadi from Niger.

At the British Museum, Ambassador Isola’s discussions, centred on areas of positive collaboration around the arts. He and his team, which included Nuradeen Biu-Aliyu Minister/Head of Information, Culture and Sports, Nigeria High Commission London, were taken on a tour of the African Gallery where several Benin bronze and other cultural treasures were on display. Dr Sam Nixon, Curator, Head of Africa Section and Dr. Lissant, Keeper of Africa, Oceania and the Americas conducted the diplomats on a tour of the Museum.

With the calls for repatriation of Benin bronze objects and pledges of restitution from museums around the world to Nigeria still raging, the ambassador advised for a strong lobby at the British parliament, as rule of law is sacrosanct in the UK. 

In furtherance of his bid to drive economic diplomacy through Nigeria’s diverse arts and culture, His Excellency, Ambassador Isola, also hosted a selection of arts and culture stakeholders, to a sumptuous African cuisine at his Abuja House residence to wrap up the day. 

Arts and culture entrepreneurs in attendance included: Polly Alakija, a multifaceted artist who works in a wide variety of materials, genres and space. Polly is currently Chairperson Lagos State Council for Arts and Culture, Trustee JK Randle Yoruba Cultural Centre, board member Alliance Francaise Lagos and Supervisory Council Member Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art. Polly works as an arts and culture consultant in both public and private sectors.

Olu Alake, Chief Executive at the Peel Institute, Chair, of the programme Advisory Committee of International Federation of Arts Councils and Culture Agencies. IFACCA is the global network of arts councils, ministries of culture and government agencies that advance arts and culture, with member institutions representing over 70 countries.

Seun Oduwole, Principal Architect at SI.SA Studio. He is the designer of the J.K. Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History in Lagos, Nigeria.

Mike Abiola, a culture enthusiast and arts supporter, Mike is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of African Film Awards (AFA). The award established in 1996 is a recognition of excellence in African film, arts and culture. Mike Abiola is also the Publisher & Editor in Chief of African Voice Newspaper UK.

Ayo Adeyinka, a London based art dealer who founded TAFETA in 2005. With a background in financial services, Ayo has since developed into a recognised specialist in modern and Contemporary African arts. TAFETA’s clients include important private collections and institutions like the National Museum of African Arts, Washington DC.

Tim Newbold, multi-skilled executive with over a decade of Africa focused on the ground experience in senior management, from start up through to market leading consultancy. Passionate about regulatory engagement, public policy and advocacy, development and the role of the private sector.

With Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola as the Nigeria High Commissioner in London, which is the financial hub of Europe, Nigeria can now begin to gain economic capital from its arts and use the power of its cultural uniqueness and diversity to communicate its positive story to the rest of the world. 

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