By Olawale Ogunbusola

The official opening of the Elizabeth Olukoya Centre for Fine and Applied Arts at Mountain Top University, Ogun State, was a truly remarkable and memorable occasion that drew dignitaries, artists, academics, and students.

The Centre stands as a beautiful expression of creativity, excellence, innovation, and the transformative power of the arts.

Speaking at the commissioning, the wife of the General Overseer of Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Dr. Folashade Olukoya, described the centre as a milestone for arts education in Nigeria.

She noted that the facility, equipped with modern studios, exhibition halls, and workshops, will bridge the gap between academic training and industry practice.

“This is more than a facility. It represents a vision to nurture talent, inspire creativity, and provide a platform where artistic gifts can flourish for incoming students and generations to come,” she said.

Dr. Olukoya added: “The Elizabeth Olukoya Centre is not just a building of bricks and mortar. It is a statement that the arts matter. It is an investment in the minds that will paint, sculpt, design, and tell the stories of our nation tomorrow.”

Representatives of the University authorities explained that the centre was named in honour of Elizabeth Olukoya in recognition of her contributions to arts advocacy and philanthropy.

They added that the facility will serve as a hub for collaboration between students, professional artists, and the wider community.

“For prospective students, the centre promises state-of-the-art spaces for painting, ceramics, textile design, sculpture, and digital arts,” a university official stated.

Organizers said the centre will also host exhibitions, masterclasses, and outreach programmes aimed at discovering and grooming young talents across South Western states and beyond.

Other speakers described the atmosphere as inspiring and called for increased private and public support for the arts in Nigerian universities.

With the opening of the Elizabeth Olukoya Centre, the University reaffirmed its commitment to producing graduates who are not only academically sound but also culturally grounded and globally competitive in the creative industry.

The centre is expected to admit its first set of students in the coming academic session.
The event featured live art demonstrations, music, and dance performances.