It is that time of the year again when art is celebrated, and creativity is rewarded. Babalakin & Co.’s annual Art Competition & Exhibition enters its second year with a promise to celebrate and promote Nigeria’s most promising young artistic talents.
On Saturday, June 6th, a panel of six eminent and distinguished judges came together to carefully review and evaluate the remarkable entries submitted by artists from across the country. The impressive lineup of judges-Dotun Sulaiman, Mairo Bashir, Duke Asidere, Iyeyinwa Momah, Kola Aina and Nana Aumah Sonoiki- had the difficult task of selecting the most outstanding works from a pool of exceptional submissions inspired by this year’s theme- ‘Japa to Japada: Beyond Borders, Within Boundaries.’ The entries demonstrated creativity, technical skill, originality, and powerful storytelling. Throughout the session, the artworks sparked thoughtful discussions, reflection, and admiration, highlighting the depth of talent that exists within Nigeria’s vibrant creative community.
More than a competition, the Babalakin & Co. Art Competition & Exhibition is a Corporate Social Responsibility initiative aimed at creating opportunities for artists to amplify their voices, create a platform for sustainability, and to drive the continuous growth of the arts ecosystem. This initiative, birthed by the Managing Partner Mr Olawale Akoni, SAN, reflects the firm’s belief that art has the power to inspire, preserve culture, challenge perspectives and foster meaningful conversations within society.
As part of its commitment to supporting the long-term success of creative talent, Babalakin & Co. will also provide reference materials to support artistic research and basic training on contracts and image rights to the finalists through its Creative Industries Practice. The Firm is well-positioned to advise artists and creative professionals on a range of legal and commercial matters across the arts, entertainment, media, sports, and broader creative sectors, including intellectual property protection, contract negotiations, licensing, brand partnerships, and other business-related legal issues. Through this support, the Firm aims to help emerging talents not only showcase their creativity but also build sustainable and successful careers.
The winning entries will be officially unveiled during the Babalakin & Co. Art Competition & Exhibition, scheduled to hold on 3 July 2026, where guests will have the opportunity to experience the shortlisted works firsthand and witness the announcement of the competition’s winners.
As anticipation builds toward the exhibition, Babalakin & Co. remains proud to champion creativity and support the next generation of artistic talent. Through initiatives such as this, the Firm continues to demonstrate that meaningful corporate citizenship extends beyond business, embracing culture, community, and the transformative power of the arts.
The Firm looks forward to welcoming artists, clients, stakeholders, and members of the public to what promises to be an inspiring celebration of creativity, excellence, and artistic expression.
