A collector’s legacy comes alive as Omolara Coker wins $5,000 Myma Art prize

In a significant boost for West Africa’s growing creative economy, Omolara Coker, Nigerian visual artist, has emerged as the grand prize winner of the inaugural Myma Art Prize (MAP), securing a $5,000 award in a new initiative designed to identify, nurture and elevate the next generation of artists from Nigeria and Ghana.

The prize, established in honour of renowned lawyer, art collector and arts patron Myma Belo-Osagie, aims to bridge longstanding gaps in the region’s creative ecosystem by providing artists with funding, mentorship, exhibition opportunities and professional development. Beyond the cash prize, Coker will participate in a residency programme in Benin City, Nigeria, while finalists gain access to a structured artist development programme and high-profile exhibitions.

The announcement marks the debut of what organisers describe as a long-term investment in contemporary African art, one focused not only on rewarding talent but also on building sustainable careers and strengthening connections between artists, collectors, curators and cultural institutions.

Edward Prah, Ghanaian artist, was named first runner-up and received a $2,500 prize, while Nana Oduro, fellow Ghanaian artist, secured second place with a $1,000 award.

Coordinated by Metis Capital Partners and curated by Ugonna Ibe of Yenwa Gallery, the Myma Art Prize was created to support early- and mid-career artists across West Africa. The programme includes a virtual artist development initiative, a group exhibition for finalists and a residency opportunity for the overall winner.

Organisers said the prize draws inspiration from Belo-Osagie’s lifelong commitment to collecting and supporting artists. Long before African contemporary art gained widespread international attention, she acquired works from emerging Nigerian and Ghanaian artists through artisan markets, small galleries and personal relationships built over decades.

Her children, who endowed the prize in her honour, said the initiative seeks to build the infrastructure that artistic production in West Africa has long lacked, including stronger collector networks, curatorial relationships, archival support and economic opportunities for artists.

Coker’s winning collection explored themes of freedom, community and belonging. Her works, including You Need an Invitation, Perched, Be Fruitful, Flock and Sharing Space, examine the importance of creating communities, sharing opportunities and fostering collective growth rather than individual isolation.

Prah’s works, including Night Shadows, Sounds of Labour, Sounds of Rails and Sounds of People, drew on photo archives and material culture to explore memory, labour and social history. His innovative use of iron paint and mixed media distinguished his practice.

Another finalist, Vincent Frimpong, showcased environmentally conscious artworks created from reclaimed shoes and recycled plastic waste. His pieces, The Trapper I and The Trapper II, highlighted the creative possibilities of transforming discarded materials into contemporary art.

Selections for the Myma Art Prize were made by a rotating panel of artists, curators and scholars from West Africa and the diaspora. Organisers said the initiative is intended to become a launchpad for emerging talent while helping shape the future of contemporary African art through sustained investment in artists and creative communities.