By Henry Akubuiro
Since its debut four years ago, the 2025 edition of ArtMiabo International Art Festival (AMIAF) is expected to be one of the largest gatherings of artists, galleriests and facilitators in Nigeria. The fourth edition also comes with an overriding focus on the economy of art.
Themed Artconomy – Redefining the Global Art Experience, it will hold from April 29 – May 1, at Admiralty Conference Center, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island Lagos, over 100 artists and other participants will converge. Among the artists are masters, mid-career and emerging artists talents, featuring master printmaker, Bruce Onobrakpeya; textile artist, Nike Okundaye; renowned art scholar and prolific painter, Kolade Oshinowo; cubist, Duke Asidere, among others.
A regular section of the festival known as AMIAF Slot – dedicated to discovering new talents – brings into the 2025 edition two groups. There are AMIAF Slots 2 for High Institutions and AMIAF Slots 1 for 8 to 15 years old participants, with each category contributing 18 and 22 exhibiting artists, respectively.
Asserting its growing international status, AMIAF brings more participants from countries such as South Africa, and the US, as resource persons and facilitators. Founder/CEO of AMIAF, Miabo Enyadike, announced California, U.S-based Guangzhen Zhou, and Sibongile Nsuza MD from Johannesburg, South Africa, as resource persons. Zhou is an artist, educator, writer, curator and visiting Professor to many Universities. Miabo described Zhou as originally from Shanghai, China, but based in California, U.S, whose over 30 years career has made him an influential figure in the global ceramics community. Zhou will be a key figure as a resource person during the AMIAF, which features workshops, conferences, among others events. “At AMIAF 2025, Zhou will deliver a special lecture on the intersection of ceramics, culture, and the global art economy,” Miabo assured.
From 2014-2020, Zhou served on the council of the International Academy of Ceramics (IAC), representing China. Inspired by UNESCO’s cultural initiatives, he has travelled to over 70 countries, documenting world ceramic heritage.
As the curator of AMIAF Yusuf Durodola, makes his third effort as the creative director of the yearly event. According to Miabo, Nsuza will lead the Art Therapy Session, engaging with festival attendees and Artists alike, “teaching us how to apply art to holistic health.”
Dr. Nsuza earned her MBChB from Medunsa (1999) and launched her private medical practice in 2003 after working with the Department of Health. But her impact doesn’t stop at healthcare—she’s also the visionary behind Manzuza Entertainment, dedicated to helping artists build sustainable careers in the creative industry.
Being supported by partners such as “Multichoice Nigeria, JCDecaux, Moët Hennessy Nigeria and CASK, AMIAF 2025 is expected to live up to its Art economy theme in creating dynamic space for emerging and established artists, Enyadike assured. “The artists will showcase their work, connect with global buyers, and explore cutting-edge trends such as NFTs, digital art monetization, and AI-powered creativity,” she stated while announcing the theme. “The festival will also spotlight how African artists can leverage technology to gain international visibility and financial sustainability.”