By Cyril Ehis
Ogun Artnovation Milan Design Week showcased Olumo Rock and Adire, promoting trade, tourism and Afro-Italian creative partnerships
Ogun State partnered with Artnovation at Milan Design Week 2026 to showcase African culture and creative economies.
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Held in April 2026, the exhibition highlighted the historic Olumo Rock alongside Milan’s Duomo, celebrating trade, tourism, and cultural exchange between Nigeria and Italy.
The partnership, endorsed by the Italian Consulate in Lagos, aimed to bridge history and creativity across continents.
Held at Piazza Emilio Alfieri, this immersive display presented Ogun’s iconic Olumo Rock to global designers and investors as a symbol of resilience and identity.
Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, participated in a fireside chat on transforming cultural heritage into sustainable economic development.
The showcase sought to expand international trade, increase global visibility for Nigerian arts (such as Adire textiles), and foster Afro-Italian creative partnerships
Speaking on the vision behind the programme, Foluke Michael, Chief Curator of Artnovation, stated:“We are beginning a conversation that will spur global action, and we are proud to start with Nigeria and Italy.
Artnovation connects storytelling, art, fashion, and design to create new pathways for innovation, partnership, and trade. By bridging the European Renaissance with African heritage, we are creating a new spark—one that transforms culture into economic opportunity.”
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Artnovation was first unveiled in December 2025 at the Italian Consulate in Lagos, marking the beginning of a sustained cultural and economic dialogue between Africa and Europe. That moment planted the seed; Milan is where it blooms.
