Modern Nigerian art owes much to Afi Ekong, one of the first Nigerian women to gain prominence as a professional artist, dedicating her career to preserving and elevating African culture.

Educated at the Oxford College of Arts and Technology, St Martin's School of Art and the Central School of Art and Design in England, she brought intellectual depth to her work, drawing inspiration from African traditions, classical music, and philosophical thought.

Her paintings were more than visual expressions; they served as a means of documenting African spirituality and history before colonial influences. She sought to restore the dignity of African religious symbols and challenge the Eurocentric dismissal of indigenous practices.

In an era when few women occupied public artistic spaces, she carved a place for herself and others, ensuring that Nigerian art reflected its true heritage.