HRM Oba Omotooyosi Akinleye, the Olukosi of Ilukosi-Ijesa, has vowed to resist the forthcoming Owambe Exhibition by Nigerian-American artist Uzo Njoku, set to open in Ikoyi, Lagos, on November 22.
In a statement on Monday, the monarch expressed displeasure, saying his team had arrived in Lagos “to take every necessary action against Miss Uzo’s scheduled exhibition to disrespect our heritage.” He warned, “It’s going to be a long week for those planning to spit on our culture. Ẹ ku ojumọ…”
Oba Akinleye had earlier stressed that the opposition was not just about Lagos but about Yoruba identity as a whole. “Njoku and her crew will not only face Lagosians but Yoruba representatives from Oyo, Ogun, Osun, Ondo, Ekiti, Kwara and Kabba. This is our collective heritage they want to spit on,” he declared.
Njoku, however, has dismissed the accusations, clarifying that her work is not focused on Yoruba traditions. “My job is not to highlight Yoruba heritage, and that’s not what the show is about. The show is about my artwork, highlighting Nigerian creatives in Lagos, and capturing this melting pot. This is nothing about Yoruba cultural heritage. I know they want it to be, but it’s not,” she told TVC.
The exhibition, which will run until December 19, will showcase nine new paintings exploring themes of intergenerational conflict, queer identity, migration symbolism, and vintage Nollywood aesthetics.
Despite her clarification, critics argue that the artist misused Owambe—a Yoruba word describing extravagant parties of music and dance—without proper cultural acknowledgement. An online petition calling for the show’s cancellation has already gathered over 10,000 signatures.
Yoruba socio-cultural groups, including Think Yoruba First, have also petitioned the Lagos State Government, urging it to prevent what they describe as “exploitation of Yoruba culture.”
Earlier reports by QEDng revealed that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s aide, Idris Aregbe, came under public criticism after meeting Njoku and influencer Noble Igwe over the project. Aregbe later clarified that his involvement was purely to mediate and not to endorse the exhibition.
