Her Royal Majesty, Olori Atuwatse III, delivered a powerful address at Design Week Lagos, honouring African design’s heritage and its transformative potential. She expressed pride in the rich design legacy of her ancestral home, the Benin Kingdom, and her current home, Warri, where creativity and craftsmanship have long thrived, highlighting the African design ethos, which merges tradition with innovation, viewing it as an intrinsic part of African identity and a source of inspiration for global art and design.

In her speech, Her Majesty reflected on how African design has influenced Western artists and acknowledged the appropriation of African aesthetics in global art. She celebrated the ongoing reclamation and amplification of African narratives and ingenuity, especially through platforms like Design Week Lagos, and called on Africans to become ambassadors of their own heritage, insisting that African design is not just an emerging frontier but “the now frontier,” ready to lead global innovation with authentic African perspectives.

As a tribute to the event’s organiser, Olori Atuwatse III praised Aunty Titi Ogufere and the Design Lagos team for their efforts in showcasing the dynamism of African design. She noted that the event is a beacon guiding the future of African artistry, stating, “African design is not waiting in the wings—it is centre stage, bold and unapologetic.” Her Majesty encouraged all present to embrace African design’s global impact and lead with pride and authenticity.