Four decades of artistic practice bridging scholarship, creative excellence, and civic leadership.
Dr. Ngozi Rosemary Akande (née Nnaji) was born on May 28, 1965, in Amankwo Umuopara, Abia State—the seventh of nine children. Her mother passed away the very day she gained admission to Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, in 1982, a loss that deepened her resolve to pursue art as both healing and legacy.
She graduated with a B.A. in Painting in 1986 and went on to earn her M.A. (2009) and Ph.D. in Art History (2022). Her artistic practice is driven by impulse and emotion—paint becomes her therapeutic language, processing feelings of disturbance, marginalization, and sadness through harmonious blues, oranges, and reds, with fabric textures that honor her cultural heritage.
In 1992, her painting "Life First Food" was exhibited in the Guinness-sponsored "Unity Through Art" show and later adopted by the World Health Organization for a decade-long exclusive breastfeeding campaign in Nigerian hospitals—a powerful intersection of art and public health advocacy.
Since 1997, Dr. Akande has served at the National Council for Arts & Culture (NCAC), rising to Director of Arts & Culture in 2021. She has represented Nigeria internationally—at UNESCO Art for Peace (2016, Andorra), cultural exchanges in China (2018), solo exhibitions in Angola, and FAME WEEK Africa in Cape Town (2024).
As co-founder of the Female Artists Association of Nigeria (FEAAN) in 2001, she has championed opportunities for African women and children in the arts, organizing international contests, securing scholarships, and coordinating the Nigeria Art Olympiad. She sits on the board of the International Child Art Foundation and has led workshops at the World Children's Festival.
Dr. Akande is married to Oladipo Thomas Akande, and they have five children. Her journey—from village plantations to global art forums—affirms her status as one of Nigeria's foremost champions of art, culture, and social impact.
Painting "Life First Food" used by WHO for decade-long breastfeeding campaign in Nigerian hospitals.
Co-founded Female Artists Association of Nigeria, championing opportunities for women in the arts.
Represented Nigeria at prestigious international exhibition in Andorra.
Earned doctorate, deepening scholarly contribution to Nigerian art discourse.
My artistic journey is driven by impulse and emotion. I create series of works reacting spontaneously to feelings of disturbance, marginalization, or sadness. When I step into my studio, paint becomes my language—a therapeutic outlet that helps me process these emotions and reaffirm my worth and abilities.
The color palette I choose—harmonious shades of blue, orange, and red—serves to evoke mood and balance within each piece. The fabric incorporated into the background is deliberately used to achieve an impasto texture, adding depth and aesthetic richness. Beyond its visual appeal, this element also represents a connection to my cultural heritage, serving as a reminder of my roots and identity.
My art is both a personal healing process and a public expression, bridging emotional catharsis with cultural preservation. Through my work, I aim to communicate the complexities of my experience while celebrating elements of my cultural background, fostering understanding and resilience.
Beyond my personal practice, I am deeply committed to expanding opportunities for African women and children in the arts. I believe creativity can be a transformative outlet—one that allows individuals to process their own realities, build confidence, and imagine new possibilities. By advocating for female artists and creating pathways for young girls to access creative expression, I hope to nurture a generation empowered to live fulfilling, evocative lives.
Through this dual pursuit of personal healing and collective empowerment, my art becomes not only a mirror of my own journey but also a platform for broader change.