Aki Abiola, the son of Nigerian political icon Chief MKO Abiola, opened Hope 93 gallery in central London eight months ago to address the lack of diversity in the art world. After a career in finance and a personal art-collecting journey, Abiola founded the gallery to showcase underrepresented artists and create a welcoming space where people feel comfortable engaging with art. He also advises the Tate Gallery on African art.
This story matters because it highlights ongoing efforts to diversify the art world from within, both in terms of who is represented on gallery walls and who participates as audiences and collectors. Abiola’s move from finance to gallery ownership also illustrates the entrepreneurial challenges of balancing commercial viability with a mission-driven approach, and the role of initiatives like the Black Business Initiative in supporting Black entrepreneurs in the arts.