In a landmark move for cultural education and heritage preservation, the Federal University Lokoja (FUL) has announced the establishment of the Nike (Okundaye) Institute of African Heritage and Museum Studies, named in honor of Nigeria’s iconic batik artist, Chief (Mrs.) Nike Okundaye.
The institute, which will function as a dedicated research center, is set to offer diploma and postgraduate certificate programs in African Heritage and Museum Studies, fostering academic and professional engagement with Nigeria’s rich cultural legacy.
The decision to name the institute after Chief Okundaye—proprietor of the internationally recognized Nike Art Gallery chain—was based on her unwavering commitment to the project and her pivotal role in its realization. The Ogidi-born artist has, through her pioneering work in batik and textile arts, brought global recognition to Nigerian indigenous art forms.
According to the Project Coordinator, Rev. Fr. (Dr.) Paul-Kolade Tubi, Okundaye’s contribution extends beyond inspiration; she has also funded the construction of the institute’s physical structures and furnished them with significant artworks.
“Naming the institute after Nike Okundaye is the least the university could do to demonstrate appreciation for her commitment,” stated the outgoing Vice-Chancellor, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi, whose tenure concludes on February 13, 2026. He emphasized that the institute aims to redirect national attention to Nigeria’s cultural past and stimulate a long-overdue “Nigerian renaissance.”
The official inauguration will be performed by the Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, on Monday, February 9, 2026, at the FUL Felele Campus. The event will also feature:
· The opening of the Nike University Gallery.
· The groundbreaking ceremony for the University Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology.
· The laying of the foundation stone for the University Ethnographic Workshop.
This initiative positions FUL as a leading institution in heritage studies and underscores the vital intersection of academia, art, and cultural sustainability in Nigeria.
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