Class: Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3, JSS 3)
Term: 1st Term
Week: 3
Age: 14 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Cultural And Creative Arts
Curriculum Theme: Cultural And Creative Arts
Previous Lesson: Identification of Places of Origin of Nigerian Traditional Arts and Their Functions
Topic: Contemporary Nigerian Art / Artist
Subject Matter: Definition of contemporary art, Short life history and the contributions of pioneer artists: Aina Onabolu, Akinola Lasekan, Madam Ladi Kwali, Bruce Onobrakpeya, etc.

Specific Objectives

By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:

Cognitive Domain:
(a) Define contemporary Nigerian art.
(b) Identify some pioneer contemporary Nigerian artists and state their contributions.
Affective Domain:
(a) Appreciate the value of Nigerian contemporary artists in promoting national culture.
Psychomotor Domain:
(a) Create simple sketches inspired by the works of Nigerian contemporary artists.
Social Domain:
(a) Participate in group discussions about the lives and works of contemporary artists.

Reference Materials

The following resources was used in planning this lesson:

9 Years Basic Education Curriculum
Lagos State Unified Scheme of work for Junior Secondary Schools
Britannica – “Visual Arts in Nigeria” (https://www.britannica.com/art/Nigerian-art)
Tate – Nigerian Modernism
Relevant Textbooks

Instructional Materials

The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:

Charts showing images of Nigerian artists and their artworks
Flash cards with artist names and achievements
Slides or printed pictures of artworks by Aina Onabolu, Ladi Kwali, and Bruce Onobrakpeya
Whiteboard and markers
Short video clips or documentaries about Nigerian art

Rationale for the Lesson

This lesson exposes students to the history, development, and importance of contemporary Nigerian art and artists who helped shape Nigeria’s modern art culture.

Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge

Pupils are already familiar with the concept of traditional Nigerian art and can recall examples of crafts, sculpture, and drawings from earlier classes.

Lesson Content/Board Summary

Contemporary Nigerian Art / Artist

Definition of Contemporary Nigerian Art

Contemporary Nigerian art refers to artworks produced in modern times that blend traditional Nigerian culture with modern techniques and ideas. It represents creativity, innovation, and the influence of Western education on local art forms.

The following are features of contemporary Nigerian art:

Use of modern materials like oil paint, acrylic, and cement.
Combination of traditional and modern styles.
Expression of modern ideas, culture, and environment.
Focus on individuality and creativity.
Representation of Nigerian identity in a global context.

Pioneer Contemporary Nigerian Artists and Their Contributions

Aina Onabolu

Aina Onabolu (1882–1963) is recognized as the father of modern Nigerian art. He was the first Nigerian to study art formally and introduce it into schools.
The following are his major contributions:

Promoted art education in Nigeria.
Encouraged young Nigerians to take up art as a profession.
Blended Western art techniques with African themes.

Akinola Lasekan

Akinola Lasekan (1916–1972) was a painter, cartoonist, and art teacher who used his art for social commentary.
His contributions include:

Producing early Nigerian political cartoons.
Teaching art to younger artists.
Promoting art as a tool for national awareness.

Madam Ladi Kwali

Ladi Kwali (1925–1984) was a famous Nigerian potter from the Gwari region. Her pottery combined traditional African methods with modern designs.
Her contributions include:

Showcasing Nigerian pottery on international platforms.
Training other Nigerian potters.
Earning national and global recognition for Nigerian craft.

Bruce Onobrakpeya

Bruce Onobrakpeya (born 1932) is a renowned printmaker and painter. He is known for creating works that reflect Nigerian traditions and beliefs.
His contributions include:

Developing the deep etching technique in printmaking.
Mentoring younger artists through workshops.
Preserving Nigerian folklore and culture through art.

Importance of Contemporary Nigerian Artists

Contemporary Nigerian artists play a vital role in promoting culture, creativity, and national identity.

The following are the importance of contemporary Nigerian artists:

They preserve and promote Nigerian culture.
They create employment and inspire creativity.
They help project Nigeria’s image globally.
They promote tourism through art exhibitions.
They educate people about society and history.

Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques:

Discussion, Lecture, Explanation, Storytelling, Visual Aids, Group Work, Question and Answer

Instructional Procedures

To deliver this lesson, the teacher will adopt the following steps:

Step 1: Introduction

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Set Induction
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher displays pictures of Nigerian artworks and asks pupils if they can identify any of the artists.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe and respond with guesses or prior knowledge.
Learning Point: Pupils become curious and motivated to learn about Nigerian contemporary artists.

Step 2: Definition of Contemporary Nigerian Art

Time: 8 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher defines and explains contemporary Nigerian art with examples and illustrations.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and take notes.
Learning Point: Pupils understand what contemporary Nigerian art means and its features.

Step 3: Pioneer Artists and Their Contributions

Time: 15 minutes
Teaching Skill: Storytelling and Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher narrates short biographies of Aina Onabolu, Akinola Lasekan, Madam Ladi Kwali, and Bruce Onobrakpeya, showing pictures of their works.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and discuss in small groups.
Learning Point: Pupils identify the artists and recall their key contributions.

Step 4: Importance of Contemporary Nigerian Artists

Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the importance of Nigerian artists to national culture and development.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils mention how art influences their community and lives.
Learning Point: Pupils recognize the role of art in national growth and cultural preservation.

Step 5: Note-Taking

Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher dictates or writes the board summary for pupils to copy.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils copy the lesson notes neatly.
Learning Point: Pupils record key information from the lesson.

Step 6: Evaluation/Review

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:

What is contemporary Nigerian art?
Mention two features of contemporary art.
Who is Aina Onabolu and what is he known for?
Mention one contribution each of Ladi Kwali and Bruce Onobrakpeya.
State two importance of contemporary Nigerian artists.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer the questions orally.
Learning Point: Pupils demonstrate understanding of the lesson objectives.

Step 7: Conclusion

Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher summarizes the lesson, emphasizes the contributions of pioneer artists, and encourages pupils to appreciate Nigerian art.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen and respond with applause or feedback.
Learning Point: Pupils value the importance of Nigerian contemporary artists.

Lesson Keywords

Contemporary Art – modern form of art influenced by current ideas and culture.
Artist – a person skilled in creative visual work.
Pottery – making of clay objects through molding and firing.
Printmaking – process of creating artworks through printing techniques.
Culture – way of life, traditions, and beliefs of a people.

Differentiation

Teacher supports slower learners with visual aids and repeated explanations, while faster learners research additional Nigerian artists and share findings.

Note for teachers using this lesson plan

Encourage active participation through storytelling and visual demonstrations. Ensure pupils relate the artists’ works to modern Nigerian culture and history.