The Benin Art Gallery in Lekki will host a major retrospective of works by the late Nigerian painter Ben Osaghae from November 16 to 22, 2025, offering collectors and investors access to pieces from a career that spanned more than two decades.
The exhibition, titled “Ben Osaghae: A Retrospective Journey,” features paintings that addressed social issues, identity, and human emotion. Osaghae, who died in 2017 at age 55, exhibited at venues including Signature Gallery, Didi Museum, and Terra Kulture in Nigeria, as well as in London and Las Vegas. A private preview for collectors on November 15 includes live music, a documentary, and a cocktail reception.
Dalton Osa Ozigbo-Esere, founder of The Benin Art Gallery, said the event targets high-net-worth individuals and institutions. “We expect strong interest from buyers who value Nigerian modern art with proven market history,” he stated. Osaghae’s works have appeared in secondary-market sales, though current pricing for the retrospective remains undisclosed
The show covers Osaghae’s output from the 1990s to 2017, including series such as “The Poetry of Feeling,” “Man to Apes,” and “Faithful Mirrors.” His 1992 paper “Dematerialization in Pictorial Art” and public lectures highlighted his focus on art as social commentary.
For businesses, the gallery offers sponsorship packages that include brand placement, logo visibility at the venue, and invitations to exclusive dinners with collectors. Ozigbo-Esere noted that past partnerships with corporate sponsors have funded similar cultural projects while providing measurable exposure.
Nigeria’s art market has grown steadily, with local galleries reporting increased transactions in 2024 and 2025. The Osaghae retrospective aligns with this trend, giving investors a chance to acquire works by an artist whose influence extends to younger Nigerian painters.
Public entry is free during regular hours; advance registration is required for the collectors’ preview. The Benin Art Gallery, located in Lekki Phase 1, plans to release a catalog with images and provenance details for all exhibited pieces.
