10
ARTISTS.
Dominion Aka
Joseph Steve
Vairagi Chukwudebe
Amarachi Ezeh
Esther Kikelomo Oyewale
John Adediran
Yemz Olapo
Ibraheem Shakioye
Hephzibah Asekhame
Marvelous Akinkunmi
1 BUDDY.
10
STORIES.
The Finalists are here
Ten artists have given the Buddy Bear a new story. Meet the finalists, explore their designs and vote for your favourite.
- 10 FINALISTS
- 10 STORIES
- 1 BUDDY
Vote Now
Scan the QR code or click this link to vote
- What is YoruBUDDY?
A bear. A blank canvas. A new story.
The Buddy Bear has travelled across the world, carrying messages of friendship, culture and connection. Now, it has arrived here.
YoruBuddy invites artists to take this familiar form and make it their own, drawing from the colours, symbols, patterns, stories and creative traditions that surround us.
Presented by the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany in Lagos, YoruBuddy celebrates the long friendship between Nigeria and Germany, and the artistic history the two nations share.
There is no single way to imagine it. So, what would yours look like?
The final reveal
One bear.
One story.
We’re inviting artists to reinterpret the Buddy Bear through their own creative lens. Your design could draw from your heritage, your environment, your experiences, your artistic practice, or simply the way you see the world.
Ready to give Buddy a story?
₦1.5M
Prize
10
Finalists
1
3 Nov
Exhibition
- FAQs
Questions, answered
Still have a question?
Our team is happy to help with anything about the brief, entries or voting.
What is YoruBuddy?
Our team is happy to help with anything about the brief, entries or voting.
Who can participate?
The competition is open to every Nigerian artist, whether you are self-taught, a student or a professional.
Is there an entry fee?
No. Entry is free.
What am I being asked to create?
Your interpretation of the Buddy Bear. We’re looking for an original design, made at a smaller scale (for example on canvas or as an illustration), that clearly shows how the full-size painted bear would look and reflects your artistic voice, ideas and relationship with your environment.
Does my design have to be traditionally Yoruba?
Not necessarily. This edition is rooted in Lagos and the Southwest, but your interpretation can come from your own artistic practice, experiences, influences and imagination. Styles such as Nsibidi, Uli, Osogbo, Ibadan or Auchi are all welcome.
What can inspire my design?
Anything that tells your story. Your culture. Your environment. Your history. Your experiences. Your artistic practice. Your imagination. The best designs will also say something about the friendship between Nigeria and Germany.
Is there a template?
Yes. Download the bear template (PDF) and use it to show your design on the bear’s shape, front and back. Download the bear template (PDF)
What file should I submit?
One file only, as a JPG or PDF, up to 10 MB. Add your concept statement, biodata and contact details in the submission form on the Submissions & Voting page.
When is the deadline?
Entries are open from 1 October to 25 October 2026 and close at 11:59 pm WAT on 25 October. Late entries cannot be accepted.
How will the designs be judged?
Submissions will be reviewed by a jury of Nigerian and German curators, artists and collectors. They will look for the design that best captures the theme and artistic vision of the project.
How many finalists will there be?
Ten finalists will be selected. Their designs will be shown on this website for public voting, presented in a live online pitch session and exhibited at the German Consulate General in Lagos.
How does public voting work?
Once the top 10 are announced, anyone can view the finalists’ designs on the Submissions & Voting page and vote for their favourite. Each email address can vote once.
What does the winner receive?
The winning artist receives ₦1,500,000, and their design will be painted onto the full-size Buddy Bear.
When and where will the winner be announced?
At the YoruBuddy exhibition on 3 November 2026 at the German Consulate General in Victoria Island, Lagos, during celebrations of the 36th anniversary of German Unity.
What happens to the winning design?
The winning design will be brought to life as a Buddy Bear public artwork. Its final public location forms part of the project’s next stage.
Who owns the rights to my design?
Full terms on rights and usage are set out in the Competition Terms & Conditions.
Is this only about winning?
We’d say it’s about something bigger. It’s an opportunity to put your interpretation of Nigerian creativity onto a global cultural symbol. But yes, there is a winner.
Who pays for the final Yorubuddy bear concept execution art materials?
The German Consulate will buy the paints and art materials and give them to the winning artist to execute in December 2026 after the winner has been announced.
Contact us
Got a question? Talk to us.
Whether you’re an artist with a question about the brief, a journalist, a school or university, or a partner who wants to get involved, we’d love to hear from you. Send us a message and the YoruBuddy team will reply within 2 working days.
Organiser
Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany, Lagos
Address
Victoria Island, Lagos, Nigeria
Social
Follow the journey with #YoruBuddy
Please don’t send artwork by email. All entries must be submitted through the form on the Submissions & Voting page.