The Cartoonists Association of Nigeria (CARTAN) is set to celebrate the 80th birthday of one of Africa’s most respected cultural icons—Prof. Dele Jegede—with a special exhibition of cartoons, drawings, and paintings. The event will be held from June 21 to 28, 2025, at the Didi Museum in Lagos, Nigeria.
This exhibition not only pays tribute to Prof. Jegede’s immense contributions to art, cartooning, and academia but also highlights the evolution of contemporary cartoon art in Nigeria.
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Who is Prof. Dele Jegede?
- Born in Ikere-Ekiti, Nigeria in 1945.
- Graduated with first-class honors in Fine Arts from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1973.
- Earned his MA and PhD in Art History from Indiana University, Bloomington, USA.
- Worked as a cartoonist and art editor at Daily Times (1974–1977), using art as a powerful tool for social and political critique.
- Served as Director of the Center for Cultural Studies at the University of Lagos before relocating to the U.S. in 1993.
- Became a full professor at Miami University, Ohio, and retired as Professor Emeritus in 2015.
- Was a Fulbright Scholar and a Senior Post-Doctoral Fellow at the Smithsonian Institution.
- Known for his politically charged artworks addressing corruption, poverty, and authoritarianism in Nigeria.
- As President of the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA) (1989–1992), he secured the organization’s legal charter and expanded its national presence.
- Recipient of numerous awards, including the Distinguished Africanist Award from the University of Texas.
Prof. jegede is widely regarded as one of the leading voices in African contemporary art, both through his creative output and critical scholarship.
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What to Expect at the Exhibition
The exhibition will feature selected works from top Nigerian cartoonists, each paying homage to Prof. jegede’s enduring influence. The event aims to reflect his intellectual legacy, activism through art, and commitment to nurturing future generations of African artists.
Special guests expected at the opening include:
- Bruce Onobrakpeya
- Dr. Kolade Oshinowo
- Dr. Kunle Filani
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Why This Matters
This exhibition is more than a birthday celebration—it is a significant cultural moment that recognizes the role of visual satire in African society, the power of political cartooning, and Prof. jegede’s four-decade-long impact on the global art community.
From his early days as a newspaper cartoonist to his rise as a respected academic and art critic, Prof. jegede’s work has consistently championed freedom of expression, cultural identity, and social justice.
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Event Details
- Title: CARTAN Cartoon Art Exhibition in Honor of Prof. dele jegede
- Dates: June 21–28, 2025
- Venue: Didi Museum, Lagos, Nigeria
- Organizer: Cartoonists Association of Nigeria (CARTAN)
- Occasion: Celebration of Prof. dele jegede’s 80th birthday
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