The “JÁPA” Exhibition—curated by respected Nigerian art writer and curator Jekami Adetiloye—has emerged as one of the most authoritative cultural examinations of Nigeria’s ongoing migration wave.
Hosted at the Thought Pyramid Art Centre in Lagos, the exhibition combines documentary film with contemporary art to examine one of the nation’s most significant social shifts: the mass emigration of young Nigerians in search of better opportunities abroad.
A Theme Rooted in Urgency
“Japa,” derived from the Yoruba phrase meaning “to flee completely,” has transcended slang to become a defining marker of modern Nigerian life. Adetiloye anchors this exhibition on that transformative reality, asking viewers to confront not just why people leave, but what their departure means for the country’s emotional, economic, and cultural fabric.
Through its curated lens, the exhibition explores themes such as brain drain, social pressure, uncertainty, aspiration, and the dual heartbreak of departure and being left behind.
Fourteen Artists, One National Story
A major highlight of the exhibition is the collection of works by 15 Nigerian visual artists, finalists from the Nest of King art competition organized by Thought Pyramid. Their artworks—spanning painting, mixed media, digital compositions, and sculpture—form a vivid tapestry of the “Japa syndrome.”
From depictions of airport terminals and fractured families to symbolic representations of hope, fear, and identity, the exhibition becomes a multidisciplinary narrative of a generation on the move.
A Documentary that Humanizes Migration
At the core of the event is a documentary film that traces personal migration stories from across Nigeria. The film provides first-hand perspectives on visa struggles, the emotional toll of leaving home, and the complicated realities awaiting Nigerians abroad. Its inclusion amplifies the exhibition’s purpose: to provoke dialogue, encourage empathy, and archive the lived realities behind the statistics.
A Curator with Cultural Precision
Curator Adetiloye, known for his incisive criticism and cultural fluency, brings academic rigor and emotional clarity to the project. His previous work—including the 2025 “Undiscovered Series”—cemented his reputation as a leading voice in Nigeria’s contemporary art circuit. Through essays, catalogues, interviews, and ongoing commentary on platforms like Instagram and Arteasy Nigeria, Adetiloye has consistently shaped conversations around emerging artistic talent.
A Cultural Time Capsule for Nigeria
By situating “Japa” within a formal art and documentary framework, Thought Pyramid Art Centre positions the exhibition as a cultural time capsule—one that captures Nigeria’s generational restlessness with nuance and visual power.
The “Japa” Exhibition stands as a definitive artistic record of a national turning point, ensuring that Nigeria’s migration wave is not merely a trend—but a documented, interrogated, and culturally preserved moment in history.
The accompanying group exhibition features fifteen (15) dynamic visual artists, each exhibiting a minimum of two works that interrogate, visualise, or reflect on the JÁPA phenomenon. Together, their works create a textured visual commentary on displacement, hope, disillusionment, and renewal.
Participating Artists:
Ademola Ojo
Christian Allison
Olalekan Adeyemi Julius
Caroline Useh
Popoola Nurudeen
Segun Jiboku
Ikechukwu Ezeigwe
Bertha Onyekachi
Segun Fagorusi
Hassan Abdulazeez
Alogi John
Akinnire Solomon
Sidney Osioh
Odinakachi Okoroafor
