Lifestyle
PHOTOS: Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye and the Legacy of Nike Art Centre
Introduction
Chief (Mrs.) Oyenike Monica Okundaye, popularly known as Nike Davies-Okundaye or simply “Mama Nike,” is a Nigerian artist, textile designer, and cultural ambassador whose life’s work has become a beacon of empowerment through art. Born in 1951 in Ogidi-Ijumu, Kogi State, Nigeria, she transformed her humble beginnings into a global legacy by creating art centres, training thousands of youths, and establishing the largest art gallery in West Africa.
Early Life and Artistic Roots
Nike Davies-Okundaye grew up surrounded by traditional weaving, indigo dyeing, and Adire textile production in her hometown of Ogidi. Her parents and great-grandmother, who were musicians and craftspeople, nurtured her creativity from childhood. Later, she spent her early adult years in Osogbo, one of Nigeria’s cultural capitals, where she immersed herself in the thriving art scene dominated by indigo dyeing and traditional crafts. This environment shaped her artistic identity and philosophy of using art as a tool for empowerment.
Establishment of the Nike Art Centre
In September 2009, Chief Nike founded the Nike Art and Culture Centre in Osogbo. The centre was created solely from her earnings as an artist, without any government support. She began the initiative with 20 young girls she found aimlessly roaming the streets of Osogbo, giving them a lifeline through free training in weaving, painting, and textile design.
Since then, the centre has expanded its reach and impact. To date, over 3,000 young Nigerians have been trained at her art centres, many of whom are now independent artists earning decent livelihoods.
Furthermore, students from other African countries travel to Nigeria to study at her centres, a testament to their international recognition.
Women Empowerment and Cultural Preservation
Chief Nike’s philosophy has always been to empower women and youth through art. She established cottage weaving workshops in Abuja, Osogbo, and Ogidi-Ijumu, helping rural women gain financial independence. By teaching them traditional crafts, she not only preserved cultural heritage but also provided sustainable livelihoods in their communities.
Her work has made her an icon of economic and social empowerment through creativity, inspiring countless young Nigerians to pursue art professionally.
Nike Art Gallery: The Largest in West Africa
Beyond the training centres, Chief Nike owns and curates the Nike Art Galleries in Lagos, Osogbo, Ogidi-Ijumu, and Abuja. The Nike Art Gallery in Lagos, located in Lekki, is the largest in West Africa.
This four-story building houses over 7,000 artworks, including paintings, textiles, sculptures, and crafts from Nigerian and African artists. More than just a gallery, it serves as a textile museum, cultural hub, and tourist destination. The gallery is open seven days a week and frequently hosts exhibitions, workshops, and cultural events. Plans are underway to add a coffee shop to enhance the visitor experience.
Global Recognition
Chief Nike’s unique style in textile design and painting has earned her international recognition. She has showcased her work and conducted workshops across the world, including in the United States, Belgium, Germany, Austria, Italy, and the United Kingdom. Through these exhibitions, she has become a global ambassador for Nigerian art and culture, breaking boundaries and introducing traditional crafts to new audiences.
Legacy and Impact
Nike Davies-Okundaye is not just an artist but also a mentor, cultural custodian, and philanthropist. By founding four art centres across Nigeria, she has provided free training in visual, musical, and performing arts, creating a ripple effect of cultural preservation and economic empowerment.
Her work has preserved Nigeria’s rich traditions of Adire and indigo dyeing while ensuring they remain relevant in the modern art world. Today, the Nike Art Centres and Galleries stand as monuments to her vision: that art can transform lives, empower communities, and preserve cultural identity.
From a small village in Kogi State to international stages, Chief Nike Davies-Okundaye has dedicated her life to art, culture, and empowerment. Her legacy lives not only in the walls of the Nike Art Gallery but in the thousands of artists she has trained and the women she has empowered. In preserving the past and inspiring the future, Mama Nike continues to stand as one of Nigeria’s greatest cultural icons.
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