August 11, (THEWILL) — The 2025 edition of Nigeria’s biggest visual art event, the Life In My City Art Festival (LIMCAF), continued its nationwide second-round exhibitions last weekend, with the Lagos Regional Centre hosting 62 young Nigerian artists at the Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Ikoyi. This year’s theme, “Can We Breathe?”, has inspired hundreds of thought-provoking works tackling social, political, and environmental realities.
Declaring the exhibition open, Mrs Jumoke Sanwo urged artists to view their locations not as limitations but as unique sources of inspiration for the global stage. She emphasised the power of social media in breaking geographical barriers, encouraging creators to harness local materials and narratives to address deeper societal issues.
Mr Kevin Ejiofor, Executive Director of LIMCAF, reminded participants that art is now both lucrative and self-sustaining, offering financial rewards as well as mentorship, training, and networking opportunities with established figures in the art world. He stressed that LIMCAF’s mission is to position art as a vital tool for social development and youth empowerment, with the goal of ranking among Africa’s top three international art events.
This year, over 700 entries were received nationwide, with 18 regional exhibitions targeting grassroots talent. Prizes for 25 young artists have been increased, alongside international travel for the top six finalists and a creative boot camp for selected participants. Winners from the Lagos centre will be announced today, earning their place at the grand finale in Enugu later this year.
With over a decade of discovering and nurturing talent, LIMCAF continues to prove that in Nigeria, art is not just a profession—it is a movement.
Janefrances Ebere Chibuzor is a Tourism Writer at THEWILL
