As we gather for the 2025 Grand Finale of the Life In My City Art Festival (LIMCAF), I am filled with joy and excitement as well as a deep sense of pride and gratitude. What began nearly two decades ago as a simple vision, to give young Nigerian artists a platform to be seen, heard, and celebrated, has evolved into a national movement for creativity, empowerment, and social change.
This year’s theme, “Can We Breathe?”, captures the collective yearnings of our youth in these times. It challenges them to reflect on the state of our society and the spaces we create for freedom, self-expression, and renewal. Through art, they were reminded that even in moments of constraint, imagination remains our most powerful tool for survival and transformation.
That message is finally ringing through to young creative minds no matter where they may be in Nigeria. That is why I spoke about the feeling of pride and gratitude which I bring to you on behalf of all of us in LIMCAF. I urge you to bear these in mind as you examine their works.
LIMCAF began in 2007 with 180 entries from some five states. Since then, the number of entries has blossomed to a staggering 750 entries from 18 States of the federation this year. And this is only one factor that makes 2025 an exceptional year not only in the quantity of works received but also in the breadth of our activities beyond the flagship competition for which we gather this evening.
From exhibitions in 18 States covering all the geo-political zones of the country to the Legacy Exhibition in Lagos, which featured the current works of LIMCAF winning alumni, to the Hall of Fame Exhibition at the Amadeo Business Summit her in Enugu, LIMCAF continues to shine the light for art to the remotest and to the most cosmopolitan cities.
We are now arguably the biggest proof everywhere in Nigeria that art is a powerful, proud, valid and viable profession of excellence and resilience within Nigeria’s creative landscape. With our exclusive prizes for female artists, our workshops for schoolchildren and children living with disabilities, as well as our artists’ residency and bootcamp programmes, we also reaffirm our commitment to excellence, undiluted merit, inclusivity, empowerment and capacity building for the youth of Nigeria.
None of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of our Board of Trustees, our patrons, the Organising Committee, our 18 Local, Coordinators, sponsors, volunteers, and the wider art community who continue to believe in the LIMCAF vision.
We are especially grateful to His Excellency Dr. Peter Mba, Governor of Enugu State both in his personal capacity and as head of the Enugu State Government, to our major donor these past three years, the Ford Foundation, and our very distinguished Patrons, His Majesty Igwe Nnaemeka Achebe, Obi of Onitsha and Emeritus Professor EL Anatsui for their steadfast unparalleled support.
With support such as we receive from those I have just thanked and with the growth and impact we have achieved so far with what we have received, we know that so much more is possible. We give you our word therefore that we will work even harder with unrelenting focus on growth and sustainability toward a future when not very far from today all states of the Federation will each be holding a regional exhibition as an all-embracing art festival.
To the artists, past, present, and future, you are the reason we exist. May your creativity blossom loudly. Once again, Welcome one and all.
Kevin Ejiofor
Chairman, LIMCAF
