Eyamba Dafinone: Lagos art collector on the trail of missing artworks

Eyamba Dafinone, a Nigerian art collector, returned to Nigeria from Dakar, Senegal, on December 17, 2024, following an exhibition by Davsien, her gallery, and Ndikama, her Victoria Island, Lagos-based museum, as part of the Dakar Biennale’s OFF exhibitions.

However, the artworkS failed to arrive with her. Ten days later, on December 27, 2025, while Eyamba was in Abuja for Christmas, she received news that the packages had arrived in Lagos. But upon inspection, only 19 parcels were found instead of 20. Video footage revealed tampering with the cases. A subsequent headcount confirmed that 23 bronze heads had been shipped, but only 20 remained. Furthermore, four paintings were missing, including two by Gbolahan Ayoola, one by the female artist Morohunmbo, and one by Senegalese artist Camara Gueye.

The Lagos-based art collector had embarked on the journey to Dakar, Senegal, on November 6, 2024 aboard an Air Peace flight, just a day shy of the Biennale’s official opening. However, the 525 kilogrammes of artworks meant to accompany her did not make the cut. Despite her persistent efforts, the airline refused to transport the exhibits, leaving her no choice but to await her team’s arrival with the artworks. The news that followed was disheartening: her team had been barred from travelling due to issues with their ECOWAS travel documents. The airport staff informed them that biometric cards were required, but attempts to obtain them had failed.

Eventually, the artworks made it to the Senegalese capital, where they were showcased at the former Chancellery of the Nigerian Embassy in Dakar.

So far, a thorough investigation is underway to recover the missing pieces, which were meticulously packed and loaded onto a plane. To ensure their safe return, a formal report was submitted to the authorities, and the Minister of Culture was notified. As part of the ongoing efforts, a follow-up trip was made to Dakar on January 25, 2025, where meetings with the Director of Culture and local artists were held to discuss potential collaborations and, more pressing, to expedite the recovery process and shed light on the incident.

Flashback to the 15th edition of the Dakar Biennale, themed “The Wake—L’Éveil”, it was where Eyamba Dafinone’s journey began. The prestigious biennial main event took place at the historic Ancien Palais de Justice on Cap Manel, overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Initially scheduled for May 16-June 16, 2024, the biennale was postponed to November 7-December 7, 2024, due to the tumultuous political climate and a shift in cultural leadership.

Dafinone still had a very impressive outing with Davsien, her gallery, Ndikama, her museum, and the artists.

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Dafinone’s Davsien Gallery and Ndikama Museum collaborated to showcase works by Nigerian artists including; Ebenezer Akinola, Gbolahan Ayoola, and Gerald Chukwuma, offering unique perspectives on historical contexts. As part of the Biennale’s OFF exhibitions, the gallery and museum presented a profound exploration of Africa’s artistic history. While Davsien Gallery oversaw the exhibition of the three Nigerian artists, the Ndikama Museum enriched the exhibition with cultural artefacts highlighting the evolution of art from the ancient Igbo Ukwu period to contemporary expressions. The exhibition had a lasting impact, with attendees praising its profound effect.

Also, at the showcased at the former Chancellery of the Nigerian Embassy in Dakar, the historic building on Avenue Cheikh Anta Diop was transformed into a vibrant exhibition space, courtesy of extensive renovations undertaken by the organisers. The exhibition, “The Metamorphosis of African Art,” debuted on November 15, 2024, to a distinguished audience of seven ambassadors and several other dignitaries. The evening air was filled with elegance and sophistication, as esteemed attendees from various fields gathered to celebrate African art. The event was further enhanced by two cocktail parties hosted by Ndikama and Davsien on November 15 and 30, 2024, respectively. The gatherings brought together art enthusiasts, diplomats, and influential figures, fostering a spirit of cultural exchange and appreciation.

Truly, Dafinone’s experience at the Dakar Biennale turned out to be a sequence of dynamic and action-packed days, filled with meaningful connections and milestones. She, for instance, had the opportunity to meet prominent collectors and the Biennale’s organisers, who had previously hosted the Ndary Lô exhibition.

One of the highlights of the event was the vernissage of renowned architect Pierre Atepa Goudabi, celebrating 50 years of his architectural practice. The OFF exhibition, organised by Davsien Gallery and Ndikama Museum itself, sparkled with historical richness, showcasing works that spanned an impressive 1,200 years, from the 9th century to 2024.

The groundbreaking display of African art unveiled a fresh perspective on the fusion of tradition and modernity, earning its place as a resounding success. Dafinone described the exhibition as “an introduction to a presentation or an exhibition highlighting an art collection on the theme of Metamorphosis.” To further enrich the experience, a panel discussion brought together esteemed panellists, including; Adama Gaye, a renowned Senegalese journalist; Ebenezer Akinnola, a Nigerian artist, and Eyamba Dafinone herself. The discussion fostered a rich exchange of ideas and perspectives, adding another layer of depth to the exhibition.

Meanwhile, credit goes to the Biennale’s organisers, who had done an impressive job, considering that the event was initially postponed due to the tumultuous political climate and a shift in cultural leadership in Senegal.