Absa L’Atelier Art Ambassador Moses Oyeleye Unveils Solo Exhibition in Nigeria

Absa, and its partner SANAVA, is proud to announce the opening of the solo exhibition of Moses Oyeleye, one of our Absa L’Atelier Art 2024 Ambassadors, titled The City People. The exhibition will be hosted in partnership at Alliance Française de Lagos, Nigeria, opening on Saturday, 5 September 2026.

The City People is a compelling body of work that examines the social identity of individuals living within the dense urban landscape of Lagos. As one of Africa’s most dynamic cities, Lagos creates a unique environment where daily life is shaped by movement, adaptability, ambition, and resilience. Through this exhibition, Moses explores how the city continually influences and transforms the people who call it home, while capturing the emotional rhythms and layered realities of urban life.

Speaking about the exhibition, Moses Oyeleye says, “Lagos is a city that is constantly moving, evolving, and reinventing itself, and the people who live here are at the heart of that story. With The City People, I wanted to explore the many identities that exist within this complex urban landscape, how the city shapes us, how we adapt to it, and how we, in turn, shape the city around us. The work is a reflection of the resilience, ambition, and individuality I see in the people of Lagos, and an invitation to pause and consider the stories that exist beneath the surface of everyday city life.”

Speaking about the exhibition, Dr Paul Bayliss, Absa Senior Specialist: Art and Museum Curator, said: “Through the Absa L’Atelier Art programme, we’ve seen African artists use their creativity to challenge, provoke and inspire. Moses Oyeleye’s The City People does exactly that. It is bold, deeply reflective, and unapologetically African. His work embodies the spirit of Absa L’Atelier Art: that every story matters, and every artist’s voice deserves to be seen and heard.”

The exhibition in Lagos forms part of Absa’s continued commitment to creating platforms that connect African artists with new audiences and creative communities across the continent. By showcasing Moses Oyeleye’s work in Lagos, Absa aims to foster dialogue and cultural exchange while celebrating the diverse stories and perspectives that shape contemporary African art.

Now in its 40th year, the Absa L’Atelier Art remains one of Africa’s most respected art development programmes, empowering emerging artists across the continent with opportunities to develop their practices, showcase their creativity and share their stories on a professional platform. Through these exhibitions, Absa continues to reaffirm its belief in the power of African art to inspire change, foster connection, and shape the future of the continent’s creative economy.

Because Absa sees your story, and it inspires us. Your story matters.

Exhibition Details

Exhibition Title: The City People
Artist: Moses Oyeleye, Absa L’Atelier 2024 Ambassador
Venue: Alliance Française de Lagos, Nigeria
Opening Date: Saturday, 5 September 2026
Closing Date: Saturday, 26 September 2026
Location: Lagos, Nigeria

For those unable to experience The City People in person, the exhibition will also be available digitally on the Absa Art Hot Spot following its physical close on 26 September 2026. The digital exhibition will provide audiences across the continent and beyond with an opportunity to explore Moses Oyeleye’s work and engage with his story beyond the gallery walls.