History of Art Research Seminar Series: Dr George Emeka Agbo | Hunter Lecture Theatre O.17

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Join the History of Art Research Seminar Series, chaired by Celeste-Marie Bernier, for a captivating lecture titled "Deconstructing Political Structure in Nigeria: Images, Social Media, and the Obidient Movement". This hybrid lecture will take place on March 14, 2024, at the Hunter Lecture Theatre O.17 in Edinburgh. You have the option to attend in person or online, so be sure to book your ticket in advance. Upon booking, you will receive further details on how to access the lecture. After the lecture, there will be a drinks reception in the Higgitt Gallery, providing an opportunity for networking and discussion. This seminar delves into the extensive use of social media during significant events such as the Occupy protest of 2012 and the Obidient movement in Nigeria during 2022-23. The transformative impact of social media culture on African politics will be explored, focusing on the visual cultural practices produced on social media and their influence on political transformation. The lecture will highlight the deconstruction of dominant political structures through the portrayal of specific public figures as iconic images representing a new political landscape. The ruling elites respond by creating counter-images to undermine these icons, resulting in a complex visual discourse. The Obidient movement, which rallied support for Peter Obi of the Labour Party, will serve as a case study to illustrate the power of social media photo-activism in Nigeria. The seminar will be delivered by Dr. George Emeka Agbo, an esteemed African art scholar from the School of History of Art at the University of Edinburgh. This lecture offers a unique perspective on Nigerian post-independence history, examining social media activist photography as a form of political mobilization. Dr. Agbo's research sheds light on the reconfiguration of power in Nigerian politics and addresses the limitations of political transformation. His ongoing book project has received recognition and support from prestigious institutions, including the Andrew Mellon Fellowship, the Ivan Karp and Corinne Kratz Fund, and the African Humanities Program of the American Council of Learned Societies. To attend this thought-provoking seminar, please book your ticket and make sure to contact eca.events@ed.ac.uk for any access requirements.