Nigeria’s creative economy is poised to take center stage on the global scene as Ogun State prepares to showcase its art, fashion, design, poetry, and music at the prestigious Milan Design Week 2026. This event, scheduled for April 2026, is one of the world’s largest and most influential design gatherings, featuring thousands of exhibitions, installations, showrooms, talks, and parties.
The announcement was made during the inaugural edition of Artnovation – AfroItalian Renaissance (AAR), held at the Italian Consulate General in Lagos. According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), AAR is a flagship creative economy platform jointly supported by Ogun and Lagos states, the Italian government, and the Creative Youth Community Development Initiative (CYCDI–Solution17).
Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun endorsed AAR as a strategic platform for transforming the creative economy and fostering international engagement. He emphasized that creativity serves as a powerful engine for inclusive economic growth, job creation, tourism development, and global relevance. “When culture meets opportunity, economies grow. Ogun State’s creative economy holds immense potential to drive transformation—from heritage to livelihoods. Through AAR, we are deepening collaboration with Italy to unlock innovation, investment, and sustainable revenue,” the governor stated.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu also reaffirmed the state’s commitment to showcasing its creative excellence on a global scale. Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Bimbola Salu-Hundeyin, he emphasized Lagos’s readiness to collaborate with the Italian government and CYCDI–Solution17 and to forge partnerships with Italian creative entrepreneurs and institutions.
Additionally, the Consul General of Italy in Lagos, Mr. Ugo Boni, described the initiative as a living symbol of shared values and creative collaboration. “The AfroItalian Renaissance embodies the values of collaboration, creativity, and shared heritage between Italy and Nigeria. Hosting this inaugural edition at the Italian Consulate reflects our commitment to strengthening cultural diplomacy and supporting creative-led development across both nations,” he said.
According to the CEO of CYCDI–Solution17 and Chief Curator of Artnovation, Ms. Foluke Michael, the platform is more than just an exhibition. “Artnovation is not just an event; it is a cultural movement that unites continents. It opens pathways for trade, design, technology, tourism, and global collaboration. From Ogun and Lagos to Milan, Florence, and Rome, the AfroItalian Renaissance is positioning Nigeria’s creative economy on the global stage,” she noted. Michael also emphasized that Ogun’s participation in Milan Design Week 2026 will offer unprecedented global visibility, exposing the state’s creative output to over 400,000 international participants, investors, institutions, and creatives.
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