The Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq has inaugurated the Institute of Contemporary African Arts and Films (ICAAF), describing it as a strategic investment in cultural education, creative enterprise and the development of emerging talents.
Governor AbdulRazaq spoke in Ilorin while declaring open an exhibition celebrating the life and works of late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, at the institute, also known as the Visual Arts Centre.
The exhibition, titled Exhibition of Fela Anikulapo-Kuti: A Retrospective, was organised by the June Creative Art Advisory (JCAA) in partnership with the Kwara State Government and will run until December 31, 2026.
The Governor said the institute was established to preserve African cultural heritage, nurture creative talents, attract cultural tourism and strengthen Kwara’s position in Nigeria’s growing creative industry.
“Our ambition is for ICAAF to advance cultural education, encourage creative enterprise, attract visitors and strengthen Kwara’s place in Nigeria’s cultural and creative landscape. Its success will be measured by the talents it nurtures, ideas it inspires and opportunities it creates,” he said.
Governor AbdulRazaq described cultural infrastructure as an important tool for connecting people with their history, broadening their imagination and encouraging critical thinking.
“Physical infrastructure connects places; cultural infrastructure connects people to their history, expands their imagination and challenges their thinking. We built ICAAF to preserve African stories, nurture talent and showcase our artists and thinkers to the world,” he said.
He said the decision to open the institute with an exhibition on Fela was significant, describing the late musician as an influential cultural figure whose artistic expressions challenged conventions and confronted society with questions about power, freedom, identity and justice.
According to him, Fela’s life and work demonstrate how art can preserve collective memory, challenge established ideas, inspire courage and contribute to social transformation.
The Governor urged students, artists, researchers and young people to explore the institute’s facilities, stressing that the creative sector offers opportunities for personal development, innovation and economic advancement.
“For students, this is a classroom beyond the classroom; for artists, inspiration; for researchers, an opportunity for deeper inquiry; and for young people, a reminder that creativity offers both self-expression and economic opportunity,” he added.
The Commissioner for Communications, Bola Olukoju, also encouraged young people in Kwara interested in printing, photography, filmmaking, fashion and design to use the institute to develop their skills and showcase their work.
Olukoju said ‘the initiative aligned with her ministry’s responsibility to promote stories, talents and creative expressions that shape the identity of the people.'”
She described the exhibition as an opportunity to revisit Fela’s life and works and appreciate the enduring influence of his music, ideas and artistic expressions on successive generations.
Fela’s daughter, Yeni Anikulapo-Kuti, commended the Kwara State Government for honouring her late father, despite his not being from the state.
“Kwara State, thank you very much. Fela was not from Kwara State, but you have recognised him in a way that I think is commendable,” she said.
The convener and founder of JCAA, Seun Alli, said the exhibition takes visitors through Fela’s family background, early life, musical career and political activism, highlighting his determination to use music and artistic expression to make his voice heard.
Speaking on behalf of the film and entertainment industry, veteran actor Yinka Qadri commended the governor for recognising established practitioners and supporting emerging talents.
He noted that Kwara had produced several successful actors, including himself and veteran actor Bello Salami.
The event was attended by the Speaker of the Kwara State House of Assembly and APC governorship candidate, Yakubu Danladi-Salihu; members of the state cabinet; and entertainers, including Ibrahim Chatta and Yahaya Habeeb Olatunji, popularly known as Baba Kamo.
