The African Maritime Art Exhibition, working alongside the National Gallery of Art, has expanded its efforts to promote coastal innovation and awareness of the oceans through an initiative in Makoko, Lagos. There, artists guided young people and kids in depicting the area's seashore on water, while also conducting interactive mentoring activities.
On Tuesday, organizers released a statement explaining that the Makoko event marked the second stage of the "Paint Your Coast" project, which began previously in Akodo-Ise, within Lagos State. There, coastal children were exposed to ocean-related artwork, environmental education, and prospects linked to the blue economy.
"Contrary to traditional classroom art instruction, the Makoko session took place within an engaging coastal atmosphere. Skilled painters from the National Gallery of Art collaborated with participants on floating structures and boats, drawing and depicting the crowded wooden house community along with its nearby lake area instantly. This led to a dynamic portrayal of Makoko's ocean view recorded both on water and on paper," the statement mentioned partially.
Previously, Ezinne Azunna, the Chairperson of AMAE, stated that the initiative was created as an organized, step-by-step artistic program intended to foster lasting skill enhancement among children living in seaside areas.
"After conducting a day-long workshop at each site, we provided them with artistic supplies to create images of their coastline through drawing, painting, or tie-dye techniques. They then participated in a month-long contest, during which schools submitted their artwork to an impartial panel. The top ten pieces will be showcased at the AMAE 2026 later this year," Azunna stated.
Azunna mentioned that the project aims to change how children living near the coast view their surroundings, seeing it not as an obstacle but as a wellspring of possibilities and innovative potential.
Additionally, the Director-General of the National Gallery of Art, Mr Ahmed Sodangi, referred to the initiative as a groundbreaking opportunity for kids in Makoko.
Sodangi, who was present at the gathering through Mr. Babalola Oladipo-Adetayo, highlighted that life along the coast holds underdeveloped cultural and financial opportunities.
The chairman of the event and director of the International Ocean Institute Nigeria Center, Dr. Akanbi Williams, praised the effort for connecting art, environmental learning, and knowledge about the oceans.
He mentioned that these programs assist kids in expressing their nautical heritage while enhancing responsibility for vulnerable seaside environments.
He further emphasized the continuous partnership among the International Ocean Institute Nigeria Centre, AMAE, and the Eco Restoration Mangrove Sanctuary and Research Centre in promoting ocean education, protecting coastlines, and involving local communities along Nigeria's coastal areas.
The head of the Lagos region for the National Inland Waterways Authority, Engineer Sarat Braimah, was present through Mr. David Otonoku, and called on locals to make wearing life jackets a top priority, highlighting them as an essential safety measure during river travel.
The head of the Africa Women’s Fish Processors and Traders Network, Nigerian branch, Oluwafunmilola Shelika, who was present through Mrs Mgbeoma Kuye, urged attendees to see artistic abilities as practical sources of income along the marine supply chain, highlighting that creativity can enhance traditional coastal ways of life.
Event organizers stated that the "Paint Your Coast" project, which has already been carried out in Akodo-Ise and Makoko, operates as a competitive growth framework.
As stated by the organizers, this project is aimed at enhancing Nigeria's maritime economic vision by providing young people living along the coast with artistic and ecological abilities, and transforming shoreline neighborhoods into centers of creativity, tradition, and environmentally friendly prospects.
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