Nostalgia filled the air as Quintessence, Nigeria’s leading art, craft, and book gallery, marked its 50th anniversary on Saturday, November 8, at its elegant space on 285 Akin Olugbade Street, Ikoyi, Lagos.
For five decades, Quintessence has stood as a beacon of creativity and cultural preservation, nurturing indigenous artists and promoting African heritage through art, crafts, books, and fashion. Established in 1975 at the Falomo Shopping Centre in Ikoyi by the late Chief Aino Oni‑Okpaku and her husband, Gabriel Olusegun Oni‑Okpaku, the gallery later moved to Parkview and now sits in its serene Ikoyi location, continuing to inspire new generations of art lovers.
Today, the legacy lives on through their son, Jude Oni-Okpako, the Chief Executive Officer of Quintessence Nigeria Limited, who has successfully upheld the founders’ vision while introducing modern innovations to sustain the brand’s relevance.