How I Knew I Was Going to Be an Artist
Long before formal academic degrees, acrylic or oil paint or complex software architectures, there was a quiet, undeniable clarity in my childhood: paper, pencil, and the pure joy of creation.
People often ask creators when they first realized their calling. For some, it is a sudden epiphany in adulthood; for others, a gradual alignment of passion and opportunity. For me, the moment was forged in 1997 while attending Estate Primary School Ogba, Lagos.
I was selected to represent Estate Primary School in an art competition organized by the Local Government Education Authority (L.G.E.A.), Ikeja. Standing alongside talented pupils from across the district was both humbling and thrilling. I remember the weight of representing my school, the quiet focus as I put pencil to paper, lost entirely in the act of rendering my vision.
When the results were announced, I was awarded the 1997 Merit Award as the Overall Best Pupil in Art across Ikeja L.G.E.A.
Holding that certificate in my hands, signed by the Secretary and Chairman of the L.G.E.A. did something profound to a young mind. It was not merely a recognition of skill; it was an official validation of purpose. The certificate recognized my "self-discipline, integrity, and effective contribution to his profession in Lagos State and Ikeja L.G.E.A. in particular."
Looking back at those words, I am struck by how early the seeds of discipline and dedication were planted. Winning that competition gave me a deep, unwavering conviction: I am an artist. It gave me the confidence to trust my eye, refine my craft, and pursue visual art with relentless passion.
That foundational experience ultimately opened every door that followed. It led me to pursue formal fine art studies - earning an ND in General Art from Yaba College of Technology, a BA in Fine and Applied Art from the University of Nigeria, and a Master of Fine Arts (MFA) degree specializing in painting from the University of Benin-alongside computer science and IT degrees, culminating in a PhD from Lagos State University.
That award from 1997 remains one of my most cherished milestones. It serves as a constant reminder that no matter how complex the future becomes, the passion that started with a simple drawing in primary school is the engine that continues to drive everything I build today.
Dr. Benjamin Onuorah