Ecobank Nigeria has joined forces with the Yaba Art Museum of Yaba College of Technology (Yabatech) to launch the Lagos Pop-Up Museum, an interactive cultural and artistic experience aimed at promoting creativity, education, and innovation across Lagos State.
The initiative, announced in a statement by the bank, will take place at the Ecobank Pan African Centre (EPAC) in Victoria Island, Lagos. The exhibition is scheduled to open on November 8, 2025, and will run until February 10, 2026.
According to the organisers, the Lagos Pop-Up Museum is designed as a vibrant, citywide cultural advocacy platform that will connect artists, students, and the general public through interactive exhibitions, art performances, workshops, panel discussions, innovation labs, and community-driven programmes. The goal is to use art and culture to foster creativity, unity, and social development in Nigeria’s most populous city.
Speaking about the project, the Managing Director and Regional Executive of Ecobank Nigeria, Mr. Bolaji Lawal, said the initiative reflects the bank’s deep commitment to supporting African culture, creativity, and innovation as drivers of social and economic transformation.
“Through platforms like EPAC, we continue to nurture collaboration, entrepreneurship, and cultural exchange, which are all key to building a thriving creative economy in Africa,” Lawal said. “This partnership with Yaba Art Museum reinforces our CSR values around education, innovation, sustainability, and African identity. It reflects our commitment to social impact, youth empowerment, and pan-African creativity.”
He explained that the collaboration between Ecobank and Yabatech represents a shared vision to amplify creative voices, preserve Nigeria’s cultural heritage, and inspire new forms of innovation. According to him, both institutions are committed to positioning art as a tool for education and social development while promoting inclusive access to cultural experiences.
“Beyond promoting our Pan-African values, we want to make art and culture more accessible by helping people connect, learn, and express themselves through creativity,” Lawal added.
Also speaking at the launch, the Rector of Yaba College of Technology, Dr. Ibraheem Abdul, described the Lagos Pop-Up Museum as a continuation of the college’s “Gown to Town” initiative, which bridges academic creativity with the broader society.
He said the project would open new opportunities for artists, students, and the public to engage in meaningful cultural dialogue while promoting inclusivity and social participation. “This project invites Lagos residents, creatives, policymakers, collectors, entrepreneurs, and everyday citizens to engage with contemporary culture,” he explained.
Dr. Abdul noted that the exhibition would be delivered in collaboration with various Yabatech departments, alumni groups, and a wide network of cultural organisations, creative collectives, tech incubators, youth hubs, schools, and international institutions.
He further emphasised that the Lagos Pop-Up Museum marks a new chapter in Nigeria’s museum culture — one that promotes art as a medium for civic engagement, research, and social imagination. “This initiative represents a new era of inclusive, community-driven museum practice in Nigeria. It uses art as a platform for social imagination, research, and civic dialogue,” he said.
The Rector expressed optimism that the project would not only strengthen the connection between artists and communities but also help young Nigerians view creativity as a path to entrepreneurship and social progress.
Ecobank Nigeria, a subsidiary of Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, has continued to expand its corporate social responsibility programmes in education, culture, and entrepreneurship. Through projects like the Lagos Pop-Up Museum, the bank aims to inspire collaboration across sectors while nurturing African talent and identity.
Industry observers have commended the partnership, noting that such collaborations between financial institutions and educational bodies could play a key role in building sustainable creative economies in Africa. They said the Lagos Pop-Up Museum will likely become a model for future cultural partnerships that combine innovation, finance, and art to strengthen social development.
The exhibition is expected to attract thousands of visitors from Lagos and beyond, showcasing the creativity of Nigerian artists while highlighting the importance of cultural heritage in shaping modern African society.
