Cletus Oche has emerged overall winner of the 2025 Next of Kin (NOK) Series 7, an annual juried art project that is both a competition and art exhibition providing guidance, mentorship and support by Thought Pyramid Art Centre.
Cletus Oche defeated other four artists in the final five shortlist — Uhule Nguemo Martha, Okeke Maduabuchi, Olatunde Emmanuel and Ibrahim Abiola Falilat, after a hard-fought online voting process.
He won a solo exhibition worth five million naira. His three works for the competition are Dreams of Defiants is ink on canvas (21×30 inches), Yet I will Be Lifted (33×45 inches, ink, acrylic on canvas) and Just as We Are (33×13 inches ink).
Cletus Oche is a multidisciplinary artist, whose practice blends hyperrealism, contemporary and surrealism, resulting in works that are constantly evolving through experimentation. A musician and multi-instrumentalist, he integrates the rhythm and emotion of music.
The grand finale of NOK Series 7, which witnessed the emergence of twenty selected artists from various artistic categories across the country, was held at the Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos.
Reacting to the victory, Cletus Oche commended Thought Pyramid Art Centre for putting the competition together for artists to showcase their works and creativity:
“As a matter of fact, I know this is the beginning of many more and better things to come.
I am extremely grateful for this opportunity to showcase my works and work with a lot of artists on this platform. It’s been a brilliant experience so far. I am most grateful to the reporters who showed their support online to help us to grow and scale this process. And to all the contestants, it’s been a pleasure being on the same platform with you all. We have created a community and I believe we can continue to push further to help ourselves to advance in our creative areas. We are all winners in this series as you can see.”
The 20 shortlisted artists presented three of their best works at the grand exhibition.
The second runner-up, Abiola Falilat, who was the first and only sculpture artist, is a graduate from the University of Ibadan. She uses stones to sculpt different visually appealing artworks. She also uses fibreglass, metals, clay, fabric and concrete for her work, exploring themes of curves, nature, softness and memory.
For Uhule Nguemo Martha’s work titled “Where do we go from here” (60×60 inches) she depicts the struggle of Nigerian youths who graduate, but still wander the street jobless and ready to japa.
Olatunde Emmanuel, a Chemistry graduate-turned artist shows Identity Crisis (33×28 inches) to mirror the judgmental world we live in, where people believe that their body might be trapping their true nature inside. It speaks to people who now choose their identities based on their feelings. Meanwhile, the human gender is very original, authentic, natural and realistic, which means we are who we are more than who we say we are.
Okeke Maduabuchi, an Auchi Polytechnic graduate from Ebonyi State, presented Consolation of souls (48×60 inches) to show that a heart that has touched so many lives will live on, and in those it loved. The work seeks to canvass for a better society where love leads to togetherness and sharing one’s troubles.
Exhibition Director and Initiator and Coordinator Next of Kin, Mr. Ovie Omatshola described the seventh series of the Next of Kin exhibition, as a celebration of artistry, creativity and resilience that defines the very core of Thought Pyramid Art Centre.
He noted that for the programme to have reached its seventh series, and is expanding for the second time beyond Nigeria to other African countries, is a testament to their unwavering commitment to promoting the visual arts, even in the face of Nigeria’s current economic uncertainties.
This expansion speaks directly to the spirit of perseverance that runs deep at Thought Pyramid Art Centre. In these times of challenge, we continue to push forward with determination, sacrificing where necessary, to sustain and motivate the brilliant visual artists who are not just creating works of art, but masterpieces—works that will continue to resonate decades from now, leaving us in awe. For 18 years, we have dedicated ourselves to seeking and promoting the most transcendent Nigerian and, more recently, African art. It is an honour to note the impact this journey has had.
The 19 other finalists too, whose works have faced a rigorous review by our esteemed jurors, have truly set a new standard for what it means to create with passion, skill, and purpose. As always, we extend our deepest gratitude to our long-time partner, Nigerian Machine Tools, for being with us since the beginning of this journey.Â
We also thank Planet Bottling Company, whose support in this historic venture is invaluable, and Trustbanc, whose consistent and essential assistance has been key to our success. There is still much to be done, and we will continue to forge ahead, promoting and celebrating the extraordinary artists who shape our world.”
Head of Corporate Affairs and Communications of Nigeria Machine Tools, Danyu Aishat, said the company believes in empowering young artists through the Corporate Social Responsibility initiative.
The Head of Institutional Sales, Trust Bank, Mr. Samuel Akpenyi said the bank is happy to partner Thought Pyramid to provide young artists with a platform to showcase their skills.
The NOK Series initiative was conceived to contribute to the development of fresh talents. From its inaugural edition in 2018, the platform has given young talented artists the vocal voice, platform and support to achieve big things. It was created to plan and prepare the future of visual art in Nigeria by discovering from the hoard of current emerging visual artists, one who possesses that peculiar artistic originality and creative disruptiveness with transcending futuristic ability and traits.
