Lagos has been named one of the seven must-visit art destinations in the world for 2026 by Artsy, the leading global online art marketplace.
In a report titled “7 Art Destinations to Visit in 2026,” the city is celebrated as a “banner biennale” and the preeminent art capital of West Africa.
The prestigious list places Lagos alongside iconic global cities including Venice (Italy), Doha (Qatar), Sydney (Australia), Bangkok (Thailand), Philadelphia (USA), and Malta.
According to the report authored by Maxwell Rabb, Lagos is rapidly evolving into the “commercial and creative engine of African contemporary art.”
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The city’s inclusion is driven by a year-round momentum sustained by a fast-growing arts community and several landmark events scheduled for 2026.
The 2026 arts calendar is set to be a landmark year, beginning with the return of the 5th Lagos Biennial from October 17 to December 18, 2026.
Curated by Artistic Director Folakunle Oshun alongside co-curators Chinyere Obieze, Furen Dai, and Sam Hopkins, the biennial will run under the theme “The Museum of Things Unseen,” and is expected to stand out for its thematic urgency and innovative use of non-traditional sites across Lagos.
In October 2026, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art will also unveil the permanent home of the Àkéte Collection.
Envisioned as a “living archive” for the continent, the museum will house the first major international collection of modern and contemporary art in Africa, marking a significant milestone in the region’s cultural landscape.
Rounding off the year, ART X Lagos will return for its 11th edition from November 5 to 8, 2026. Founded by Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, the fair continues its mission to bring the global art world to Lagos while creating opportunities for young Nigerian artists to attain international recognition without leaving home.
The Artsy report further credits the city’s status to its robust gallery network and cultural institutions. Leading galleries such as Rele, kó, Ogirikan, and Nike Art Gallery were cited for shaping contemporary African discourse.
Meanwhile, institutions like the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History—which recently underwent a monumental facelift—were praised for grounding contemporary work in deep historical narratives.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu hailed the report as a testament to his administration’s commitment to the creative sector.
He emphasised that the state’s investment in tourism and the arts is a core pillar of the “Greater Lagos” vision.
“This listing is a reflection of our commitment to the creative sector. We will continue to invest in the industry where our youths have exhibited remarkable talents. Our vision is to make Lagos the number one destination for arts, culture, and tourism in the coming years.”
With foreign reserves crossing the $45 billion mark and major infrastructure projects like the Lagos-Calabar superhighway underway, the state government believes 2026 will be an “epochal year” for Lagosian prosperity and global cultural leadership.
