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Zenith Bank Plc has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing Nigeria’s creative and cultural landscape through its
continued sponsorship of ART X Lagos 2026, taking place from November 5-8, 2026, at Federal Palace, Lagos.
Building on its support for the fair's landmark tenth-anniversary edition in 2025, the Bank returns as a Silver Sponsor for the 11th edition, reinforcing its commitment to platforms that celebrate African artistic excellence, preserve cultural heritage and create opportunities for emerging creative talent.

Founded by Tokini Peterside-Schwebig in 2016, ART X Lagos is a leading international cultural platform dedicated to showcasing contemporary art from Africa and its diaspora. Through its multidisciplinary programming, the fair has become an important platform for connecting artists, galleries, collectors and cultural institutions while promoting African creativity on the global stage.

Since its inception, ART X Lagos has brought together artists and galleries from over 70 countries, welcoming participants from 170 nations worldwide. The 11th edition of ART X Lagos will hold under the theme: A New Chapter, A New Decade, reflecting on the artists, architects, educators and thinkers who shaped modernism in Nigeria. The theme explores how cultural inheritance can inspire new forms of artistic expression and possibilities for the future.

Through its sponsorship, Zenith Bank supports the continued growth of ART X Lagos as an international platform for artistic exchange, cultural preservation and creative enterprise, strengthening connections across Africa's creative ecosystem and fostering opportunities for growth and collaboration.

As part of its broader sponsorship of ART X Lagos 2026, Zenith Bank will support two key programmes: ART X ICON and The Masterclass. While ART X ICON celebrates the achievements and enduring contributions of Nigeria’s artistic pioneers, The Masterclass creates opportunities for emerging creatives to learn, engage and develop their practice.

In this 11 th edition, the focus of ART X ICON is turned to pioneering Nigerian potter Ladi Dosei Kwali (1925–1984)
with Ladi Kwali: Beyond the Vessel, conceived and developed by curator Dr Jareh Das. Widely recognised as the face on Nigeria;s 20-naira note, Ladi Kwali is celebrated for her extraordinary contribution to Nigerian ceramics and her role in bringing traditional Nigerian pottery to international prominence. Drawing on generations of indigenous pottery knowledge, she developed a distinctive artistic practice that earned her international recognition.

Bringing together ceramics and archival materials from the National Museum in Lagos, alongside works from private lenders, Ladi Kwali: Beyond the Vessel offers a deeper exploration of the artist's life, practice and enduring influence.

The exhibition will also feature works by women potters who worked alongside and after Kwali, including Kande
Ushafa and Asibi Ido, as well as traditional pottery by Gbari, Nupe and Bida potters. Together, these works illuminate the artistic traditions Kwali inherited, the innovations she introduced, and the knowledge carried forward by subsequent generations.

Complementing ART X ICON, The Masterclass will place emerging artists in dialogue with Ladi Kwali’s legacy,
creating an opportunity to explore the relationship between traditional artistic knowledge and contemporary creative practice. The programme will select 10 emerging artists from across disciplines including painting, sculpture, photography, film, textiles, digital practice, performance and ceramics, providing opportunities for intimate conversations and meaningful engagement with established creative practitioners.

Speaking on the partnership, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, Group Managing Director/CEO, Zenith Bank Plc,
said, “At Zenith Bank, we recognise that the growth of the creative economy requires both the preservation of our cultural heritage and sustained investment in the talents shaping its future. Our continued partnership with ART X Lagos reflects our belief in the importance of supporting platforms that celebrate African artistic excellence, strengthen cultural institutions and create opportunities for emerging creatives. We remain committed to supporting initiatives that unlock the economic and cultural value of Nigeria’s creative industry and enable African creativity to gain even greater recognition on the global stage.”

Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, Founder and Director of ART X Lagos, said: “As ART X Lagos enters its second decade, we are immensely grateful for the continued partnership of sponsors such as Zenith Bank, whose support reflects a shared commitment to advancing Nigeria’s creative and cultural landscape. Partnerships like this are instrumental in sustaining our vision, deepening our impact and creating lasting opportunities for African creativity to thrive on a global scale.”

Beyond ART X ICON and The Masterclass, ART X Lagos 2026 will feature 15 exhibitors across its Main and
Spotlight sections, alongside a diverse programme of Special Projects, including Ndidi Dike’s Residues of Past
Encounters: 2024–2026, The ART X Library and Speakers Corner. The fair’s wider multidisciplinary programme will also feature ART X Cinema, ART X Live!, ART X Talks, Art Across Borders and the Schools' Programme, celebrating the breadth and diversity of contemporary creativity from Africa and its diaspora.

ART X Lagos 2026 takes place from 5–8 November 2026 at Federal Palace, Victoria Island, Lagos.

About Zenith Bank Plc Zenith Bank Plc is a multinational financial services institution headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. Founded in 1990 by Jim Ovia, CFR, it is one of Africa’s foremost financial institutions with a shareholders’ fund of ₦4.92 trillion (2025) and a footprint spanning Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Côte d’Ivoire, Kenya, the UK, France, UAE and China. The Bank has built a reputation for innovation, customer-centricity and excellence in financial services. It offers comprehensive retail, commercial and corporate banking solutions, supported by advanced digital platforms and an extensive physical network. Zenith Bank drives financial inclusion and sustainable development while maintaining strong corporate governance and financial performance. With a clear focus on People, Technology and Service, the Bank is committed to creating value for customers, stakeholders and the wider economy.

About ART X Lagos

ART X Lagos, the leading international art fair in West Africa, was founded by Tokini Peterside-Schwebig in 2016 to
celebrate contemporary culture from Africa and its diaspora. Drawing artists and galleries from over 70 countries and visitors from 170 nations, it has played a pivotal role in redefining the African narrative. Its multidisciplinary
programming, spanning art, music, literature and film, features initiatives like ART X Live!, ART X Cinema and ART X Talks. From its inaugural edition, ART X Lagos extended an open invitation to cultural curators across Lagos to
programme around the fair, sparking the art week and season in Nigeria, an annual highlight of the country’s art scene. ART X Lagos additionally champions emerging talent through programmes such as Resonance, The
Masterclass, the ART X Prize and The Development Forum. It serves as a transformative cultural catalyst and a
cornerstone of the African art sector today, shaping the future of African art and its global narrative.

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Zenith Bank Plc has announced that its customers can now pay with Google Pay, bringing greater
convenience and security to everyday transactions. By adding an eligible Zenith Bank card to Google
Wallet, customers can tap to pay at participating contactless payment terminals and check out online or in
apps without repeatedly entering their card details.

As Nigerians increasingly rely on their phones to shop, pay bills and manage their finances, Zenith Bank
continues to advance banking experiences that combine convenience with robust security.

A simpler, more secure way to pay
Google Pay uses payment tokenization, a technology that replaces a customer's actual card number with a
digital token. This helps protect sensitive payment information by reducing the need to share actual card
details during transactions.

For Zenith Bank customers, this means:
 Enhanced security: Tokenization helps protect actual card details, reducing their exposure during
payments.
 Faster checkout: Customers can tap their compatible phones at participating contactless terminals
or pay online without repeatedly entering their card information.
 Convenience across channels: Eligible cards can be used through supported digital payment
experiences, subject to device, merchant and service compatibility.
 Greater peace of mind: Built-in security features help customers make digital payments with
greater confidence.

A legacy of innovation, a future of possibilities
Zenith Bank’s latest digital payment development builds on a history of using technology to improve
customer experience. In 2007, the Bank opened what it describes as Nigeria's first ATM gallery, a full-fledged branch without human tellers that offered customers access to cash, including on weekends and public holidays. At a time when conventional banking often meant lengthy queues, the initiative provided an alternative built around
convenience and accessibility. Today, the same commitment to innovation continues to shape the Bank's digital ambitions.

The Group Managing Director/CEO of Zenith Bank Plc, Dame Dr. Adaora Umeoji, OON, underscored the
importance of the technology, describing it as “digitally forward.” She added that the upcoming Zenith Bank
Tech Fair 2026, themed Future Forward 6.0 and scheduled for November 5, would take the conversation
further.

How to get started
Eligible Zenith Bank cardholders can add their supported cards to Google Wallet on compatible devices by
opening the app, selecting the option to add a payment card and completing the required verification
process. Once set up, customers can use Google Pay at participating contactless terminals and supported online or
in-app checkout points. Availability is subject to card eligibility, device compatibility and merchant
acceptance.

About Zenith Bank Plc
Zenith Bank Plc is a leading financial services institution committed to delivering innovative banking
solutions, superior customer service and sustainable value to its stakeholders. Through continuous
investment in technology, operational excellence and customer-centric innovation, the Bank continues to
advance digital banking and support the evolving financial needs of individuals, businesses and
communities.

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Guaranty Trust Bank Limited (“GTBank”), the flagship banking subsidiary of Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (“GTCO” or “the Group”), today announced that customers can now add their GTBank debit cards to Google Wallet and use Google Pay to make secure online payments locally and internationally.

Making online payments easier, faster and more convenient, customers can now add their GTBank debit cards to Google Wallet and use Google Pay to make secure online payments without repeatedly entering their card details. At checkout, they simply select Google Pay and confirm the payment. From paying for subscriptions and booking flights and hotels to ordering food, purchasing goods and services, paying bills, renewing memberships and accessing digital services, customers can enjoy a seamless payment experience locally and internationally. Available across multiple countries and regions worldwide, Google Pay offers customers access to a widely accepted digital payment solution.

Security remains central to the experience. Google Pay incorporates security features designed to help protect customers’ payment information during online transactions. By combining these safeguards with a simple payment process, the service offers GTBank customers greater confidence and peace of mind when making payments locally and internationally, while supporting a convenient and seamless online payment experience.

Commenting on the launch, the Managing Director of GTBank, Mrs Miriam Olusanya, said: “Our customers are increasingly looking for simpler and more secure ways to pay online, both locally and internationally. By enabling customers add their GTBank debit cards to Google Wallet, we are making online payments more convenient and giving them access to a globally recognised digital payment solution. Customers can now complete online payments more seamlessly without repeatedly entering their card details.”

She added: “The launch reflects our commitment to removing friction from everyday banking and delivering solutions that fit seamlessly into our customers’ increasingly digital lifestyles. Google Pay offers our customers flexibility when making online payments while supporting a secure and seamless payment experience. As part of the Group, we remain committed to advancing our shared vision of leveraging technology to make end-to-end financial services more accessible and intuitive for everyone.”

The introduction of Google Pay reinforces GTBank’s commitment to making online payments simpler, faster and more convenient, giving customers another way to pay locally and internationally using their GTBank debit cards.

About GTCO Plc                                               Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc is a leading financial services group with operations across Africa and the United Kingdom. Renowned for its strong corporate governance, innovative financial solutions, and customer-centric approach, the Group provides a wide range of banking and non-banking services including payments, funds management, and pension fund administration. GTCO Plc is committed to delivering long-term value to stakeholders while driving growth and development across its markets.

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Zenith Bank Plc is set to host the sixth edition of its flagship technology event, Zenith Bank Tech Fair 2026:
Future Forward 6.0, on Thursday, November 5, 2026, under the theme, “AI: Embrace or Extinct.”

Renowned for its scale and showcase of technological innovation, the annual Tech Fair has evolved into a
platform for connecting ideas, talent and opportunities. Over the years, the event has brought together
technology leaders, entrepreneurs, and young innovators to explore emerging technologies, showcase
solutions and examine the future of the digital economy.

Conceived by the Bank’s Founder, Jim Ovia, CFR, the initiative reflects his vision of empowering young
Nigerians through technology and nurturing inventors capable of developing solutions with global
relevance. It also reinforces Zenith Bank’s commitment to digital advancement and the growth of Nigeria’s
technology ecosystem.

The impact of the Tech Fair is evident in the solutions emerging from its competitions. Previous winners
include JumpnPass, which developed a self-checkout solution for retail, and CreditChek, which uses
artificial intelligence and open banking to streamline credit verification.

At the 2025 edition, TrustLoop won the hackathon for its digital identity verification solution, while Cubbes Technologies won the startup pitch competition with its AI-powered EdTech learning platform. Through millions in prize funding and mentorship, the Tech Fair continues to support promising innovators in developing practical solutions to real-world challenges.

For the first time, the Tech Fair will be held virtually, opening participation to a wider borderless audience
across Nigeria and beyond. This year’s theme explores the growing influence of AI and challenges
individuals and organisations to consider how best to harness its potential in an increasingly technology-
driven world. The event will offer participants an opportunity to discover emerging innovations, gain fresh
insights and engage with ideas shaping the future of work and business.

The Tech Fair will be accessible via Zoom, Instagram, X, TikTok, Facebook and YouTube.
Be part of the future of technology. Register now at www.zenithbank.com/techfair and experience the
possibilities of AI at Zenith Bank Tech Fair 2026.

About Zenith Bank Plc
Zenith Bank Plc is one of Nigeria’s leading financial institutions, recognised for its commitment to
innovation, service excellence and strong corporate governance. Through strategic investments in
technology and human capital, the Bank continues to deliver innovative financial solutions and contribute to
the development of Nigeria’s digital economy.

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The National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) and the China Film Administration have explored opportunities for strategic collaboration to expand film distribution between Nigeria and China, improve market access for filmmakers and strengthen regulatory cooperation in an increasingly technology-driven global film industry.

This formed the fulcrum of discussions when a delegation from the China Film Administration, led by Bai Yimin, Chairman of HuaXia Film Distribution Ltd. Co., visited the Board’s Abuja office.

Receiving the delegation, the Executive Director/Chief Executive Officer of the NFVCB, Dr Shaibu Husseini, reaffirmed the Board’s readiness to deepen collaboration with Chinese film industry stakeholders to facilitate the distribution of Nigerian films, particularly Nollywood productions, across China, while creating opportunities for wider distribution of Chinese films in Nigeria.

Dr Husseini emphasised that international partnerships would expand Nollywood’s global reach, open new commercial opportunities for Nigerian filmmakers and distributors, and promote cultural exchange and economic growth through cinema and audiovisual content.

He expressed the Board’s willingness to enter into appropriate agreements to facilitate mutually beneficial cooperation.

He stressed, however, that all distribution arrangements involving the Nigerian market must comply with the country’s regulatory framework.

He urged the Chinese delegation to engage only with duly registered distribution companies in Nigeria and to seek clarification from the Board on the registration and regulatory status of prospective partners.

Discussions focused on practical mechanisms for strengthening commercial film distribution between both countries, including theatrical distribution, licensing arrangements, regulatory cooperation and technical expertise exchange.

Both sides explored ways to improve access to their respective markets, enabling Nigerian filmmakers to reach wider international audiences and Chinese productions to gain a stronger presence in Nigeria.

The meeting also highlighted the importance of transparent and efficient licensing and rights-acquisition processes to facilitate legitimate cross-border distribution, protect intellectual property and minimise barriers to international market access.

Closer engagement between relevant regulatory authorities was also discussed to improve understanding of film classification requirements and regulatory procedures in both countries.

Dr Husseini further requested that the Chinese delegation support the Board with modern film classification infrastructure to strengthen its operational capacity and enhance the discharge of its statutory mandate.

He noted that technical cooperation and knowledge exchange would help build institutional capacity in an industry increasingly shaped by technological innovation and evolving distribution models.

The engagement also addressed emerging global film regulation challenges, particularly the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI), digital distribution platforms and the circulation of unclassified films through online channels.

Both sides acknowledged the need for closer cooperation and appropriate strategies to promote responsible content distribution, regulatory compliance and intellectual property protection.

In his remarks, Bai Yimin expressed the delegation’s willingness to explore practical avenues for strengthening film distribution between Nigeria and China.

He highlighted the potential for cooperation among stakeholders in both countries to expand market access, promote film circulation and deepen bilateral engagement through cinema and audiovisual content.

To advance the discussions, the Chinese delegation invited Dr Husseini to visit China for further engagement on areas of mutual interest.

The proposed visit is expected to build on the Abuja discussions and explore practical frameworks for cooperation in film distribution, licensing, classification, technological advancement and professional knowledge exchange.

Other members of the Chinese delegation included Xu Yang and Shang Xiao Meng, both of China Film Distribution; Yang Gang, Chief Executive Officer of Tai Ge Film Company; and Luo Gaocheng of Tiger Pictures Entertainment.

The meeting, facilitated by veteran filmmaker and Convener of the Abuja International Film Festival, Fidelis Duker was also attended by members of the NFVCB management team.

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