Jimo Akolo is a Nigerian artist born in 1935. Akolo was primarily interested in painting as a medium. He studied at the Nigerian College of Arts, Science and Technology (NCAST) in Zaria. Here Akolo worked alongside, though never joined, the Art Society. The Art Society was formed by a group of NCAST students and aimed to elevate the status of arts in Nigeria and discuss Nigerian, and more generally West African, culture. Members of the society such as Uche Okeke took primary research on Nigerian traditions, using this to start conversations about the way Nigerian art could develop. The Art Society wanted to move away from colonial control of art schools to develop a truly Nigerian artistic education. Artists in the group did not deny that European art could be a useful tool and most embraced European styles. Okeke argued for a ‘natural synthesis’ of Nigerian and European art styles.

Akolo did not join the society as he did not want to place emphasis on ideology in his work, he preferred ‘art for art’s sake’ but worked closely with his more politically active colleagues. Akolo went on to study in the U.K. at Hornsey College of Arts and Crafts. Here he continued to develop his skills as a painter, with an interest in the European painting style.

The paintings held in the BECC collection originate from the Commonwealth Institute where Akolo had a one man show in 1963.