By Benjamin Njoku

Three legendary Nigerian artists, Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye, Chief Jimoh Buraimoh and Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya, have been honoured with the U.S.

Exchange Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award by the U.S. Mission, marking 50 years of artistic collaborations between the United States and Nigeria.

Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye, a renowned textile designer and founder of the Nike Art Gallery, has been a trailblazer in promoting Nigerian art and culture globally. Her work has been exhibited internationally, including at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art in Washington, D.C. She has also mentored students worldwide in the traditional art of adire and batik.

The award recognizes the artists’ exceptional commitment to their craft, mentorship of emerging creatives, and contributions to strengthening U.S.-Nigeria relations.

U.S. Ambassador Richard Mills presented each artist with a commemorative certificate, acknowledging their invaluable impact on the creative economy. He stressed the U.S. Government’s commitment to supporting programs and initiatives that nurture cultural exchange, promote artistic expression and strengthen the capacity of Nigerian artists and professionals across the creative industries. 

This honour was a testament to the enduring legacy of cultural exchange between the United States and Nigeria. The U.S. government’s commitment to supporting programs that nurture artistic expression, preserve cultural heritage, and empower Nigerian artists will continue to foster a vibrant creative industry.