Three legendary Nigerian artists – Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye, Chief Jimoh Buraimoh, and Prof. Bruce Onobrakpeya – have been honored with the U.S. Exchange Alumni Lifetime Achievement Award as part of celebrations marking 50 years of artistic collaborations between Nigeria and the United States.
The U.S. Ambassador to Nigeria, Richard Mills, presented the awards, recognizing their participation in the Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Programme (IVLP) over 50 years ago. Each artist received a commemorative certificate for their dedication to artistic excellence, mentorship, and fostering U.S.-Nigeria cultural ties.
“Art has the power to connect people and communities across the world. This is why we supported these programmes 50 years ago, we support them now, and we will continue supporting them far into the future,” said Ambassador Mills.
Chief Davies-Okundaye, known globally for her work in adire and batik, reflected on how the exchange program opened up new perspectives that shaped her career. Chief Buraimoh, an accomplished bead painter, remarked, “Going to the U.S. on an exchange program 50 years ago in 1974, was truly transformative, giving me an opportunity to share my work widely and mentor the next generation of artists.”
At 92, Prof. Onobrakpeya, a pioneer in West African art, said, “I am very excited and encouraged. I will continue to pay it forward by nurturing future talent in the industry.”
