The Korea Cultural Centre Nigeria (KCCN) and the Federal Capital Territory Universal Basic Education Board (FCT-UBEB) have urged the Nigerian government to employ more cultural and creative arts teachers in primary and secondary schools.
This call was made during a workshop that trained 30 students from across the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on painting and drawing techniques led by renowned Korean artists.
Speaking at the event, KCCN Press Officer Lee Hye Rim praised the student’s enthusiasm for art and highlighted the importance of fostering creativity in schools.
“The students have so many creative ideas in them. With more art teachers and a conducive learning environment, they can evolve into seasoned artists capable of making Nigeria proud,” she stated.
The training, which showcased the works of famous Korean artists, aimed to inspire students to explore their creativity while learning from global artistic influences. Rim emphasised that engaging professional creative arts teachers could unlock the latent potential in Nigerian students, propelling them to international acclaim.
Deputy Director of Culture and Creative Arts at FCT-UBEB, Okafor Irene, lamented the shortage of qualified arts teachers in schools. She noted that many schools assign random teachers to teach creative arts, while trained professionals remain unemployed.
“We have adequately trained people who can teach all aspects of cultural and creative arts, but they are not employed. The government needs to address this gap urgently,” she said.
Irene also recounted how KCCN used to organise large-scale arts programs for students before pausing the initiatives three years ago.
“The competitions brought joy and sparked a passion for art among students. The gap created since the program stopped has significantly affected both students and teachers,” she added, expressing hope for its revival.
The event also featured a special training session for Nigerian female artists focused on the works of renowned Korean painter Park Soo Keun.
Jung Hayoon, an independent lecturer and member of the Museum of Modern Contemporary Arts in Korea, led the session, explaining how Park’s works depict the resilience of ordinary Koreans during difficult historical periods. “Park’s unique style, limited palette, and themes of perseverance resonate deeply. He is a ‘painter of commoners’ who captured life’s vitality amidst poverty,” she said.
One of the trainees, Fatima Ringim, shared her excitement about the training, stating that it exposed her to new perspectives in art. “Park Soo Keun’s work is inspiring and has given me hope to build on my skills. I feel equipped to expand my creative horizons,” she said.
Aderogba Oluwaseyi, a Korean language interpreter, highlighted that the training was made possible through a partnership between the KCCN and the Museum of Modern Contemporary Arts in Korea. She noted that the initiative aimed to guide Nigerian female artists toward new artistic directions, inspired by Park’s revolutionary techniques.
The workshop exemplified the value of cultural exchange and the role of education in fostering creativity. Both KCCN and FCT-UBEB reiterated their call for a deliberate effort to prioritise arts education by employing skilled teachers who can nurture the next generation of artists.
As the KCCN continues its efforts to bridge cultural gaps and promote creative growth, stakeholders hope that the Nigerian government will heed the call to address the shortage of arts teachers, ensuring a brighter future for young, aspiring artists in the country.
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