Class: Junior Secondary School 3 (JSS3, JSS 3)
Term: 1st Term
Week: 4
Age: 14 years
Duration: 45 minutes
Subject: Cultural And Creative Arts
Curriculum Theme: Cultural And Creative Arts
Previous Lesson: Contemporary Nigerian Art and Pioneer Artists
Topic: Nigerian Contemporary Art Work
Subject Matter: Prominent works of the artists and their location. Caran (Sango) Ben Enweonwu, Sculptural decoration (Demas Nwoko National Theatre, Lagos), Etching (Bruce Onobrakpeya, Delta State) and Income generation through contemporary art.
Specific Objectives
By the end of the lesson, pupils should be able to:
- Cognitive Domain:
(a) Identify some prominent Nigerian contemporary artists and their major works.
(b) Describe the importance of contemporary art in the society. - Affective Domain:
(a) Appreciate the creativity and talent of Nigerian contemporary artists.
(b) Show interest in preserving and promoting Nigerian art. - Psychomotor Domain:
(a) Create simple sketches inspired by the works of Nigerian contemporary artists. - Social Domain:
(a) Collaborate in groups to discuss how art can generate income and promote culture.
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 – “Nigerian Art” (https://www.britannica.com/art/Nigerian-art)
- The Guardian Nigeria – “Celebrating Bruce Onobrakpeya: The Living Legend of Nigerian Art” (https://guardian.ng/art/celebrating-bruce-onobrakpeya-the-living-legend-of-nigerian-art/)
- Relevant Textbooks
Instructional Materials
The teacher will teach this lesson with the aid of:
- Pictures or posters of Nigerian contemporary artworks
- Samples or prints of Ben Enwonwu’s and Bruce Onobrakpeya’s works
- Short video clips of art exhibitions
- Chart showing Nigerian artists and their artworks
- Drawing materials (pencil, sketch pad, eraser)
Rationale for the Lesson
This lesson helps students appreciate Nigerian contemporary art, recognize famous artists, and understand how art contributes to income generation and cultural preservation.
Prerequisite/Previous Knowledge
Pupils are already familiar with traditional Nigerian art and have discussed various forms of sculpture, painting, and craft in previous lessons.
Lesson Content/Board Summary
Nigerian Contemporary Art Work
Contemporary Nigerian art refers to artworks produced by Nigerian artists in modern times that reflect creativity, innovation, and cultural identity using new techniques and materials.
Prominent Nigerian Contemporary Artists and Their Works
Nigeria has many outstanding artists whose works are recognized locally and internationally.
The following are some prominent Nigerian contemporary artists and their works:
- Ben Enwonwu – Famous for the sculpture Sango (also known as Anyanwu). His works promote African identity and pride.
- Demas Nwoko – Known for his sculptural and architectural decoration of the National Theatre, Lagos. He blended traditional and modern styles.
- Bruce Onobrakpeya – A master of printmaking and etching from Delta State, known for his innovative artistic techniques and use of symbols.
- Yusuf Grillo – Renowned for using blue hues and modernist painting styles that depict Nigerian life and culture.
- Aina Onabolu – One of the pioneers of modern Nigerian art who introduced Western painting techniques.
Importance of Nigerian Contemporary Art
Nigerian contemporary art plays a vital role in preserving culture, expressing ideas, and improving the economy.
The following are the importance of Nigerian contemporary art:
- It promotes Nigeria’s cultural heritage and values.
- It creates job opportunities for artists and art dealers.
- It beautifies public spaces and buildings.
- It serves as a means of communication and education.
- It brings national and international recognition to Nigeria.
- It generates income through art sales, exhibitions, and tourism.
- It encourages creativity, innovation, and self-expression among youths.
Income Generation Through Contemporary Art
Contemporary art provides several avenues for earning money both locally and internationally.
The following are ways income can be generated through contemporary art:
- Selling artworks such as paintings, sculptures, and prints.
- Participating in art exhibitions and competitions.
- Producing art souvenirs for tourists.
- Teaching or training others in art skills.
- Working in galleries, museums, or design studios.
- Collaborating with industries that use art for advertisements or decoration.
Teaching Methods/Instructional Techniques:
Lecture, Discussion, Explanation, Demonstration, Question and Answer, Group Work, Visual Aids
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: Teacher shows pictures of famous Nigerian artworks and asks pupils to identify any they recognize.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils observe and respond with names or descriptions of artworks.
Learning Point: Pupils become curious about contemporary Nigerian artists and their works.
Step 2: Prominent Nigerian Artists and Their Works
Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher explains the meaning of contemporary art and lists major Nigerian artists and their notable works.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen, take notes, and ask questions.
Learning Point: Pupils learn about key Nigerian artists and their famous works.
Step 3: Importance of Contemporary Art
Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Discussion
Teacher’s Activity: Teacher discusses the social, cultural, and economic importance of contemporary art using examples from artists’ careers.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils share ideas about how art affects society and income generation.
Learning Point: Pupils understand the significance of art in national development.
Step 4: Income Generation Through Art
Time: 10 minutes
Teaching Skill: Demonstration
Teacher’s Activity: Teacher explains how artists earn from their work and shows examples of art pieces that can be sold.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils participate in identifying ways they can make money through art.
Learning Point: Pupils recognize various income-generating opportunities in art.
Step 5: Note-Taking
Time: 5 minutes
Teaching Skill: Explanation
Teacher’s Activity: Teacher dictates or writes the board summary for pupils to copy.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils write down notes neatly.
Learning Point: Pupils record the main points of the lesson.
Step 6: Evaluation/Review
Time: 3 minutes
Teaching Skill: Questioning
Teacher’s Activity: The teacher evaluates the learning by asking the following questions:
- Mention three Nigerian contemporary artists and one of their works.
- State three importance of Nigerian contemporary art.
- List two ways artists can generate income from their works.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils answer questions orally.
Learning Point: Pupils recall and demonstrate understanding of the lesson content.
Step 7: Conclusion
Time: 2 minutes
Teaching Skill: Reinforcement
Teacher’s Activity: Teacher summarizes the lesson and encourages pupils to appreciate and support Nigerian art.
Pupils’ Activity: Pupils listen attentively and reflect on what they learned.
Learning Point: Pupils develop respect for Nigerian art and artists.
Lesson Keywords
- Contemporary Art – modern artworks that reflect present-day ideas and creativity
- Etching – a printmaking process using acid to create designs on metal plates
- Sculpture – three-dimensional artwork made by carving, molding, or casting
- Exhibition – public display of artworks for viewing or sale
- Artist – a person skilled in creating visual works like paintings or sculptures
Differentiation
Teacher supports slower learners with visual aids and simplified explanations while advanced learners are encouraged to research more artists and present findings.
Note for teachers using this lesson plan
Ensure students can connect the artworks discussed with their creators. Use pictures and real-life examples to make learning vivid. Emphasize the financial and cultural value of art.

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