Street art festival sees Lagos turned into 'open-air gallery'

Parts of Nigeria's biggest city, Lagos, have been turned into an "open-air gallery", in the words of the organisers of the city's first street art festival.

One of the featured artists, Ashaolu Oluwafemi, told the BBC that the festival brings art "to the people and the community".

"People don't always have the opportunity to go to exhibitions, so they don't have the opportunity to see art," he said.

The artwork is on display on Ozumba Mbadiwe Avenue, a busy street in Victoria Island in the heart of the city.

Oluwafemi, who was born and brought up in Lagos, said he and the other artists were telling the story of the city and its rise.

"You have to be wise and strong and brilliant to make it out of Lagos."

Although Lagos is known for its vibrant arts scene, nightlife and creativity, street art is relatively unknown.

"The visibility is not too strong compared to other African nations," painter Ernest Ibe told AFP news agency.

"So, it's a challenge, but the country is evolving.

We are beginning to understand the impact of social murals and how it affects us socially and in our environment in general."