By Chukwuma Ajakah

Renowned artist, Chief Nike Davis-Okundaye has gifted the Federal University, Lokoja, FUL, a cutting-edge art gallery and institute, further cementing her legacy of empowering communities.

Nike Okundaye, popularly known as “Mama Nike,” has a track record of promoting artists and empowering rural communities through art galleries, exhibitions, cottage weaving workshops, and crafts like Adire and Batik cloth-making.
The art connoisseur equips over 500 women annually with artistic skills, fostering their self-reliance. With emphasizes on revitalizing traditional arts and fabric, most of Mama Nike’s landmark initiatives feature free vocational training in textile design, weaving, carving, hat-making, and beadwork.

In a virtual press conference on Sunday, 15 February, 2026, the celebrated artist and UN Culture Ambassador revealed that her twin projects: Nike Art University Gallery and Nike Okundaye Institute of African Heritage and Museum Studies were inaugurated on the main campus of the Federal University Lokoja, Kogi State on Monday, 9 February, 2026.

Dignitaries at the event included Kogi State Deputy Governor, HE Joel Salisu Oyibu, Commissioner for Arts, Culture, and Tourism, Fatimah Momoh, Project Coordinator, Rev. Fr. Kolade-Paul Tubi, traditional ruler, HRH Oba Williams Olusegun Ayeni, the Olujumu of Ijumu, the university’s outgoing and incoming Vice Chancellors, Prof. Olayemi Akinwumi, and Prof. Gbenga Ibileye. The groundbreaking ceremony featured a colourful fashion parade, showcasing Adire and Batik designs, Bata dance, and other cultural performances by Nike Art Troupe.

In his opening remarks, Project Coordinator, Rev. Fr. Kolade-Paul Tubi, acknowledged Chief Davis-Okundaye’s contributions, saying, “We are grateful for Prof Olayemi Akinwumi’s valedictory projects, which attracted Mama’s generous donations, including a bus to our department yesterday.”

Commissioning the projects, Deputy Governor, Joel Salisu Oyibu, representing Governor Usman Ododo, praised Mama Nike’s sterling qualities, saying: “Mama gladly granted us what would have cost the state millions of naira. It is with immense pride and deep sense of cultural responsibility that I join you today in this landmark event, inauguration of Nike University Gallery and Nike Institute of African Heritage and Museum Studies. This institute will help us reconnect with our story. Today, we celebrate one of our very best, an icon, a pride of Kogi State, a true Ambassador of African culture. Chief Nike Okundaye is not just an artist, she is an institution on her own.

“From Ogidi, here in Kogi State to Osogbo, Lagos, Abuja, and beyond Nigeria, she has carried African culture on her soldiers and shown the world the beauty of our traditional art. Through her work, creativity, and generosity, she has empowered many young Nigerians. Today many families are earning a living because of the opportunities she created. Mama, we are proud of you. Naming this institute after you is not just an honour. It is a sincere thank you. It is therefore my honour to commission and inaugurate this landmark project.” The state’s Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Hajiya Fatima Momoh, commended the sage, saying: “I thank Mummy Nike, Nike Arts Gallery, and this university for creating this space, blending art and culture. This gallery is a platform to inspire students, engage the community, and blessings celebrate Kogi State’s rich heritage.”

According to the Olujumu of Ijumu land, HRH Oba Williams Olusegun Ayeni, Mama Nike has become a global personality, blessed by God, and a lasting influence in culture and people empowerment for the community. While speaking on the auspicious occasion, Professor of Archeology, Clement Makinde observed that the event was an enactment of Nigeria’s culture and traditions. “These are things missing in our curriculum,” he remarked, noting that people without a sense of history and knowledge of where they are coming from will not amount to anything worthwhile. He emphasized, “Nike Art Gallery is an enactment of the kind of culture we have.” Incoming VC Prof. Gbenga Ibileye, pledged his continued support for the sustenance of the projects, saying: “I want to turn this place into a massive tourist attraction. But, Ma, my VC [referring to the outgoing VC] has given it to you, do with it what you want.” He added, “A Professor of practice is somebody who has made this kind of remarkable impact. So, the Federal University, Lokoja will confer on you, ‘Professor of Practice’.”

Prolific artist, Yusuf Durodola, shared insights via WhatsApp, describing Mama Nike’s project as a continuum of knowledge, he said: “This initiative will sustain artistic legacy through institutional support. Knowledge inheritance is essential to the survival and growth of any society. It preserves identity, legacy, and gives vitality to a nation. Communal creative spaces can merge apprenticeships with structured learning, keeping knowledge dynamic.” Durodola cited historical examples like the Mbari Mbayo and Osogbo Art Workshop, which merged informal apprenticeship with structured learning. “Traditionally, such transfer occurred through apprenticeship systems rooted in experiential learning and mentorship,” he said adding, “Integrating workstations and galleries into academic environments connects this indigenous model with formal education.”

Responding to goodwill messages, the Ogidi-born textile artist explained why she chose a university community, saying: “Nobody knows it all and nobody is perfect. I’ve trained many in traditional weaving and dyeing, but noticed that the university environment, where many youths can be equipped for self-reliance, is unexplored. I’m bridging the gap. Situating the art gallery and workshop on campus will promote cultural education and tackle unemployment. There is no excuse for failure. “Artists-in-residence will serve as resource persons, providing quality instruction.”

Recalling the challenges she had at the start, she said, “There were moments of uncertainty when I started, I wondered what the response of those in charge would be. The university authorities made it possible for me to work with them. I thank them. This project will provide jobs and turn waste into sculptures. We’ll take students on exchanges, and attract international visitors. Many want to come to Nigeria, but lack partners-we’re fixing that.”

Other notable legacy projects established by the septuagenarian are Nike Centre for Art and Culture (Osogbo, 1983), Rural Women Weaving Centre (Ogidi-Ijumu, 1996), Art and Culture Research Centre, Piwoyi Village, Abuja (2002), Rehabilitation of Sex Workers from Italy (Nigeria, 2000), and General Skill Acquisition Workshops in Osogbo, Kogi, Abuja, and Lagos. Through Nike Art Galleries, she has done Free Training for IDPs (with the REAP Impact Foundation): training internally displaced women in batik and tie-dye, and providing startup materials to help them start businesses. Through Adire Tradition Revival programmes, she also trained elderly women in supportive environments to pass on traditional dyeing skills to younger generations.