#LLASpotlight Building a movement isn’t easy but Tokini is doing it one exhibition, one artist, one story at a time.
For over a decade, Tokini Peterside-Schwebig has been showing what women-led leadership looks like, turning ART X Lagos into West Africa’s premier art fair and creating spaces where African women artists, curators, and changemakers can shine.
She works alongside visionary women like Missla Libsekal and Tega Okiti, mentoring the next generation of creative leaders, and proving that resilience isn’t about standing alone, it’s about lifting each other up and building communities where women thrive together.
In this candid conversation, Tokini reflects on her journey from marketing luxury brands to founding a cultural institution from scratch, what leadership has taught her about purpose, excellence, and collaboration, and why African women’s stories matter now more than ever.
Read the full interview with the visionary behind Africa’s creative renaissance.
Hi Tokini, congratulations on ART X Lagos turning 10! When you reflect on the journey from that very first fair in 2016 to now, what are some of the biggest lessons you’ve learned about leading with vision, working with people, and staying resilient?
Thank you so much. Looking back on this decade-long journey is humbling. When we launched ART X Lagos in 2016, it was uncharted territory — the first international art fair of its kind in West Africa. One of the important lessons I’ve learned is that having a vision is only the beginning; bringing it to life requires perseverance and an unwavering sense of purpose.
I’ve also learned that nothing meaningful is ever built alone. ART X Lagos has grown because of the people who chose to believe in it, a dedicated team, visionary curators, committed partners and sponsors, and an ecosystem that has supported us from the very beginning.
And when I think about resilience — especially a decade in — I’ve come to understand that it’s less about standing firm in isolation and more about drawing strength from connection. That’s why our 10X theme resonated with me. Like the mangrove, resilience means staying rooted even in shifting waters, not because the environment is easy, but because we hold one another up. It’s in imagining together, building together, and anchoring ourselves in shared purpose that we find the capacity to endure and grow.
So the biggest lesson? That resilience is not a solitary act. It’s a collective one, built through shared commitment.
You once said that ART X Lagos was born out of a need to “tell our own stories and shape how the world sees African creativity.” How do you see African women showing up in that mission, as storytellers, creators, and changemakers?
African women have always been at the forefront of storytelling — whether through art, literature, design, or leadership. Today, we’re witnessing a renaissance where African women are reclaiming narratives, asserting their voices, and redefining what power and creativity look like.
At ART X, this has always been part of our fabric — from our predominantly female team to the remarkable curators, artists, and collaborators who shape each edition. This year, we were privileged to work with Missla Libsekal, Fikayo Adebajo, Jumoke Sanwo and Tega Okiti, four female curators whose insight and vision continue that legacy of excellence and collaboration.
Their work, like that of countless others across our ecosystem, embodies a creativity that is deeply feminine — layered, intuitive, and resilient.
You moved from leading marketing for a global luxury brand to building a cultural institution from scratch. Did you always know you wanted to create something of your own, or did that calling unfold over time?
I didn’t always know I would create something of my own. What I did have from childhood was a deep connection to the arts and an instinct to share the richness of Nigerian creativity with the world. That instinct grew as I moved through different stages of my life — first as a student in the UK, where I often found myself becoming an informal ambassador for my Nigerian culture, and later as a young professional working at the intersection of creativity, marketing, and global luxury.
My years leading marketing for a global luxury brand showed me just how powerful culture, storytelling, and heritage can be when they’re championed with intention. At the same time, as I quietly built a small art collection and spent time with artists in their studios, I became more aware of the structural gaps that limited their visibility and potential.
A major turning point came when I decided to pursue my MBA. That period gave me the space to step back and reflect on the creative ecosystem I cared so deeply about, and to study models of cultural institutions around the world. It was during that year — especially after experiencing the Venice Biennale and seeing Nigerian artists celebrated on a global stage — that the idea for ART X began to crystallize. Suddenly, the threads of my life—culture, creativity, business, and advocacy—started to align into a clear purpose.
So ART X wasn’t a sudden leap; it unfolded over time, shaped by lived experience, professional exposure, and the clarity that came from my MBA. I wanted to build a platform that could reflect who we are and engage the world on our own terms.
That dual focus — being rooted in our realities while reaching outward — continues to guide everything we do.
You’ve been on global stages from TEDx Lagos to hosting President Emmanuel Macron, representing African creativity to the world. When you think about legacy, what do you hope your work continues to say about Africa and about women who lead within it?
My hope is that my work continues to remind the world that Africa is a continent alive with originality, intellect, and innovation. I want ART X to stand as evidence that when African women lead, they do so with purpose, vision, and distinction. Legacy, to me, is less about the structures we leave behind and more about how our work expands what others believe is possible. If my journey can help others believe that our ideas, institutions, and stories have the power to reshape global culture, then that, to me, is the truest measure of success.
The fair’s impact over the past decade has been extraordinary, over 700,000 visitors, hundreds of artists, and a cultural movement that’s transformed Lagos’ creative landscape. How do you hope ART X will continue to inspire and create more opportunities for women in the art world?
From the very beginning, inclusivity has been at the heart of ART X Lagos. We’ve made a conscious effort to ensure that women — as artists, curators, and professionals — are seen as essential voices in Africa’s creative evolution.
Looking ahead, ART X will deepen this impact through mentorship, visibility, and global exchange. Representation matters, but so does access — and when young women witness others leading with confidence and purpose, it expands their sense of what’s possible.
As a woman leading one of the most influential cultural institutions on the continent, how do you navigate the expectations, scrutiny, and pressures that come with being “the face” of a movement like ART X Lagos?
Leading a platform like ART X Lagos naturally comes with many expectations, but I try to approach them with focus and perspective. Over the years, I’ve learned to stay anchored in purpose, to lead from clarity.
Many young women in creative and business spaces look up to you. How would you describe your leadership philosophy and how has it evolved over the years?
My leadership philosophy is grounded in excellence. I believe in setting a high standard while creating the space for others to bring their best selves to the work. For me, excellence is defined by intention, discipline, and the pursuit of meaningful impact. I value collaboration and continuous learning, and I see leadership as a shared journey — one shaped by alignment, purpose, and steady momentum.
Beyond the fair, ART X Collective has built platforms like ART X Live!, and ART X Talks, each amplifying voices across art, music, and thought leadership. What connects them for you, and what impact do you hope they leave on African culture?
Each platform within explores a different way of expressing creativity — whether through art, music, or conversation — but they’re all connected by a shared belief in the power of culture to shape how we see ourselves and how the world sees us.
ART X Live! brings music and visual art into dialogue, while ART X Talks offers the space for reflection — where ideas and perspectives meet and new connections are formed.
What unites them is the understanding that these forms of expression have always been central to African creativity — from antiquity to today. Storytelling, performance, visual symbolism, and dialogue have long served as vessels for memory, identity, and possibility on this continent.
Together, they reflect our commitment to context as much as community — to fostering creativity that not only entertains or inspires, but deepens our understanding of the world and our place within it, and ensures that African cultural expression continues to evolve with confidence and clarity.
Through ART X, you’ve built teams, shaped culture, and inspired a generation. Looking back, what has leading as an African woman and for African women ultimately taught you?
I’ve learned that the most meaningful influence comes from consistency — showing up with purpose and committing to lead with excellence and integrity. And perhaps most importantly, it’s shown me that leadership isn’t about carrying the weight alone, but about building the kind of trust and community that makes meaningful work possible.
Finally, for the next generation of women who dream of creating something that shifts culture, what’s the one piece of advice you’d leave them with?
Start with a clear intention, and be patient with your own process. The path won’t always make sense, but stay consistent. Be true to who you are and lead from that place — don’t try to fit into a version of leadership that isn’t yours.
Take the time to map out your mission, vision, and goals: How do you want to shift culture? What does impact look like to you? What’s your why? That clarity will anchor you when things get noisy.
Stay curious, keep learning, and surround yourself with people who will offer real perspective and challenge your thinking. In the end, it’s not just about getting something off the ground; it’s about staying connected to your why so you can keep going when it gets hard.
