As Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers marked its involvement in the 10th edition of ART X Lagos, the firm singled out innovation and cultural memory as key pillars of its support for African art. Through sponsoring a special installation called “The Library,” Stanbic IBTC created a space devoted to knowledge, continuity, and cultural reflection. The 2025 fair under the theme “Imagining Otherwise, No Matter the Tide”, urged audiences to ponder how creativity and imagination can shape more connected, vibrant urban futures.
“The Library,” conceived as an interactive installation, offers visitors a tranquil area for exploration and contemplation. It draws its inspiration from the resilience of Nigeria’s mangrove ecosystems, a metaphor for renewal, adaptation, and collective memory. Inside, attendees could browse selections from the art library of the G.A.S. Foundation, peruse archival material from ART X’s curators, view films from ART X Cinema, and admire works by legendary Nigerian artists.
At the opening, Stanbic IBTC’s Chief Executive, Olumide Oyetan, explained the significance of the fair’s theme. He argued that imagination is not just central to art, but also a crucial driver of financial planning, societal resilience, and long-term growth. He described The Library as a space for reflection, learning, inspiration, and a drive for tomorrow. He further emphasised the importance of nurturing youth interest in the arts, encouraging them to appreciate their heritage and imagine a brighter future.
In addition to The Library, ART X Lagos 2025 featured its signature “Kids Tour,” which welcomed 60 students from various Lagos and Ogun-state schools, including Lisabi Grammar School (Abeokuta), Mile High International School (Ikotun), and Roy Dek Academy (Makoko, Yaba, Lagos). The tour immersed the students in contemporary art, exposing them to a wide array of media and techniques and planting seeds for an early appreciation of art.
Since the inaugural ART X Lagos in 2016, the partnership between Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers and the fair has evolved beyond mere sponsorship. What began as support for exhibitions now represents a purposeful collaboration aimed at amplifying African voices and investing in cultural legacy. Alongside The Library, the firm also hosted a private viewing for select high-net-worth clients, offering an intimate and curated tour of standout artworks and creating space for conversations around legacy, creativity, and the growing influence of African art globally.
Through these initiatives, ART X Lagos and Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers have reinforced the link between art, education, and community building. As the fair enters its second decade, the pension firm remains committed to championing imagination, preserving knowledge, and nurturing cultural resilience, all in support of a more creative, inclusive, and forward-looking Nigeria.
By backing ART X Lagos, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers taps into Nigeria’s expanding creative economy, a sector estimated to contribute up to 2.3 percent of national GDP and one that drives tourism, youth employment, and cultural exports.
