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Now booking Tate Modern Exhibition

Nigerian Modernism

8 October 2025 – 10 May 2026

Free for Members

Book tickets Become a Member

Benedict Enwonwu Black Culture 1986 Lent by Kavita Chellaram 2025 © The Ben Enwonwu Foundation

Explore the artists who revolutionised modern art in Nigeria in the mid-20th century

Set against the backdrop of cultural and artistic rebellion, Nigerian Modernism celebrates the achievements of Nigerian artists working before and after the decade of national independence from British colonial rule in 1960.

Nigerian Modernism tells the story of artistic networks which spanned Zaria, Ibadan, Lagos and Enugu, as well as London, Munich and Paris. Through groups like the Zaria Art Society and Mbari Artists' and Writers' Club, they fused Nigerian, African and European techniques and traditions to create vibrant, multidimensional works.

Explore a diverse range of paintings, sculpture, textiles and poetry from over 50 artists including Uzo Egonu, El Anatsui, Ladi Kwali and Ben Enwonwu MBE.

Nigerian Modernism is in partnership with Access Holdings and Coronation Group. Supported by Ford Foundation, The A. G. Leventis Foundation and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts. With additional support from the Nigerian Modernism Exhibition Supporters Circle, Tate International Council, Tate Patrons and Tate Americas Foundation.

Uzo Egonu Stateless People: an Artist with Beret 1981 Lent by Vikram Chellaram 2025 © The estate of Uzo Egonu

J.D. Okhai Ojeikere Untitled (Onile Gogoro Or Akaba) 1975, printed 2012 Tate Purchased with funds provided by the Acquisitions Fund for African Art Supported by Guaranty Trust Bank Plc 2013

Benedict Enwonwu The Dancer 1962 Lent by Ben Uri Gallery and Museum 2025 © The Ben Enwonwu Foundation

J.D. Okhai Ojeikere Untitled (Agaracha) 1974, printed 2012 Tate Purchased with funds provided by the Acquisitions Fund for African Art Supported by Guaranty Trust Bank Plc 2013

Make a day of it and discover our Nigerian Modernism-inspired lunch, created by acclaimed chef Aji Akokomi, founder of Akara and Akoko. See the exhibition then enjoy a snack and two courses from our special set menu in our stunning Restaurant afterwards. The menu is an exclusive collaboration with Aji Akokomi, the founder of Akara, a London restaurant that celebrates Nigerian heritage through modern interpretations of traditional dishes.

£56 for exhibition entry, welcome snack and two-course set menu

Available daily from 18 October, with 11.15, 12.00, or 12.45 exhibition entry slots followed by lunch.

*A discretionary 12.5% service charge will be added to your bill

Snack

Crispy Plaintain, Aubergine Yassa Sauce (vg)

Starter

BBQ Prawn Akara, Sosu Kaani:

A modern take on akara – black-eyed bean fritters, here filled with barbecued prawn and paired with sosu kaani, a Senegalese chilli sauce balancing heat and sweetness.

Main

Lagos Chicken (BBQ Poussin), Green Pepper Sauce, Crispy Skin:

Poussin marinated in chilli mop sauce and spices, barbecued in a Lagos street-style tradition, and finished with crispy chicken.

Sweet

Guava Sorbet and Pineapple Sauce:

Smooth, fragrant guava sorbet paired with tangy pineapple sauce.

Drinks

Chapman Orange, Lemon, Lime, Hibiscus, Sugar, Sparkling water

Jollof Bloody Mary

All Tate Modern entrances are step-free. You can enter via the Turbine Hall and into the Natalie Bell Building on Holland Street, or into the Blavatnik Building on Sumner street. There are lifts to every floor of the Blavatnik and Natalie Bell buildings. Alternatively you can take the stairs.

  • Fully accessible toilets are located on every floor on the concourses.
  • A quiet room is available to use in the Natalie Bell Building on Level 4.
  • Ear defenders can be borrowed from the Ticket desks.

To help plan your visit to Tate Modern, have a look at our visual story. It includes photographs and information about what you can expect from a visit to the gallery.

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For more information before your visit:

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  • Call +44 (0)20 7887 8888 (daily 10.00–17.00)

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Tate Modern

Bankside
London SE1 9TG
Plan your visit

Dates

8 October 2025 – 10 May 2026

  • Members enjoy free entry – no need to book, just turn up with your card
  • Relaxed Hours on the third Tuesday of the month at 10.00–11.00

Pricing

£18 / Free for Members

Concessions available

£5 for Tate Collective. 16–25? Sign up and log in to book

£56 with a lunch experience

How to book a school visit

Booking and Ticketing FAQs

Book tickets Become a Member

In partnership with

Supported by

With additional support from

The Nigerian Modernism Exhibition Supporters Circle

Gates Foundation

Tate International Council

Tate Patrons

Tate Americas Foundation

Related events

Left Right
  • Access

    Relaxed Hours: Nigerian Modernism

    A quieter time to explore the artists who revolutionised modern art in Nigeria in the mid-20th century

    Tate Modern
    Third Tuesday of the month at 10.00–11.00
  • Yinka Shonibare sitting on a chair, smiling and looking at the camera
    Talk

    Yinka Shonibare & Sir Ben Okri in Conversation

    Join Yinka Shonibare and Sir Ben Okri in conversation on the lasting impact of Nigerian Modernism on art and culture today

    Tate Modern
    9 Oct 2025
  • Members Hours

    Members Hours: Nigerian Modernism

    Visit the exhibition in the morning before the gallery opens

    Tate Modern
    11 Oct 2025, 12 Oct 2025
  • Private view

    Members Private View: Nigerian Modernism

    Visit the exhibition in these special times reserved just for you

    Tate Modern
    15 Oct 2025
  • Nigerian Modernism Exhibition Tour

    Join this one hour tour to explore the artists who revolutionised modern art in Nigeria in the mid-20th century

    Tate Modern
    1 Nov 2025, 24 Jan 2026, 7 Mar 2026, 9 May 2026

We recommend

  • El Anatsui: Behind the Red Moon

    El Anatsui has created a monumental new artwork for Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall

  • Artist

    Uzo Egonu

    1931–1996
  • Ben Enwonwu, Ugala Masquerade 1940

    Decolonising Nigerian Modernism: Ben Enwonwu’s ‘Identity in Politics’

    Bea Gassmann de Sousa

    The personal archive of the celebrated Nigerian modernist painter Ben Enwonwu (1917–1994) reveals his understanding of the effects of colonialism on his own artistic and political identity, and his thoughts on the role artists should play in the anticolonial struggle. This paper brings together Enwonwu’s thinking with that of more contemporary theorists to examine the connections between modernism, nationalism and decolonisation in the writing of Nigerian art history.

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