In a statement signed by Dr. Ayo Adewunmi, LIMCAF’s Art Director, Dr. Anthony Izuchukwu Emodi of the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, will serve as Chairman of the Jury Panel, while Erasmus Onyishi has been appointed as Curator for the exhibition.
Dr. Emodi, fondly known as Tonie, is an accomplished sculptor and visual artist from Aboh in Ndokwa Local Government Area of Delta State. Born in Agbor in 1963, he has built a distinguished career in the arts, with a deep academic grounding and decades of contribution to creative education and sculpture practice.
Joining him on the jury are Chinedu Ogakwu (Fsna), Prof. Adele Garkida, Dapo Adeniyi, and Dr. Nneka Odoh — a group representing a broad spectrum of expertise across visual arts, design, literature, and cultural studies.
Chinedu Ogakwu, a renowned painter and the founder/CEO of ArtNative Nigeria and co-owner of Native Stool Nigeria, Gallery of Arts and Culture, is known for his vibrant studio practice and leadership within the Nigerian art community. His work draws inspiration from cultural heritage, environmental dynamics, and the broader African experience.
Prof. Adele Garkida, a scholar of industrial design, brings her extensive knowledge in Glass Technology and Ceramics to the panel. A Fulbright scholar, she holds a PhD in Glass Technology from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, where she currently serves as a professor in the Department of Glass and Silicate Technology. Her academic journey has included research at Michigan Technological University (USA), and she remains one of Nigeria’s foremost voices in design education.
Dapo Adeniyi, an accomplished writer, culture researcher, and journalist, adds a literary and cultural dimension to the jury. With a career that spans radio, television, theatre, and film, Adeniyi is best known for writing and directing the screen adaptation of Ake, Wole Soyinka’s autobiography. A former Arts and Culture Editor at Daily Times, Lagos, he has participated in several international cultural consortia and is the publisher of Position African World Review.
Dr. Nneka Odoh, a painter and fashion designer, represents the new generation of scholars and creatives shaping contemporary Nigerian art. She holds a BA(Ed) in Fine and Applied Arts, an MFA in Painting, and a PhD in Art History from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), where she teaches painting, drawing, and art history.
With Erasmus Onyishi serving as curator, the LIMCAF grand finale exhibition is expected to showcase a rich array of perspectives and artistic talent from across Nigeria. The appointment of this diverse and accomplished panel underscores LIMCAF’s enduring role as one of the country’s premier platforms for discovering and promoting young artistic voices while upholding rigorous standards of creativity and professionalism.