Honouring Memory, Advancing Culture: A Royal Visit to the Nigerian Pavilion.
At the prestigious London Design Biennale, Her Majesty Olori Atuwatse III joined His Majesty Ogiame Atuwatse III, CFR, at the Nigerian Pavilion for a moment that celebrated cultural depth, technological innovation, and the enduring power of African memory.
- Hosted at Somerset House under the theme Hopes and Impediments.
- Explored cultural memory through sound, material, and spatial mapping.
- Integrated artificial intelligence and data visualisation in storytelling.
- Celebrated the Itsekiri identity and Nigerian cultural heritage.
Designing with Ancestral Memory
The Nigerian Pavilion presented a powerful reimagining of identity. Drawing from the ancient iron-working heritage of Lejja in Enugu State, the installation bridged Indigenous knowledge with a modern interface.
The Itsekiri narrative stood with distinction, woven intentionally into the broader design story of the nation. Allegra Ayida's piece, Paddling into the Past, served as a symbolic homage, using cast iron and ancestral motifs to explore belonging and heritage.
Where Tech Meets Tradition
Technology was not just a tool but a medium of memory. Artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and immersive data visualisation allowed art and code to co-exist—honouring heritage while pushing creative boundaries.
"Africa cannot wait to be included. Africa leads with vision, honour, and a story deeply rooted in wisdom and possibility."
Her Majesty Olori Atuwatse III
The Team Behind the Vision
The creative direction of Myles Igwebuike and production by Itohan Barlow, founder of Culture Lab Africa, shaped the narrative of the pavilion with clarity and cultural pride.
Gratitude was extended to Victoria Broackes and Angela Bourderye-Munoz of the London Design Biennale for their welcome, and to key supporters and Itsekiri guests including Fiyin Adesanya, Dr. Anino Emuwa, and Alero Ogbemi-Barlow.
