Fuel Theatre will present The 419, a compelling poetry and photography exhibition by Inua Ellams and Oluwamuyiwa “Logor” Logo, at Somerset House’s West Wing Gallery from 8–14 September 2025.
This free exhibition is part of Somerset House’s Step Inside Weekend, celebrating its 25th birthday with a series of interactive events.
The 419 explores how money changes hands in Lagos, Nigeria, through 14 sonnets and 14 photographic portraits. Each piece captures a moment in the lives of everyday Lagosians—from market labourers to elected officials—revealing the economic dynamics of Africa’s most populous city.
“As a Nigerian expat living in England, I found that I had unconsciously digested the negative stereotypes associated with Nigerian financial dealings. The 419 represents an opportunity to explore and debunk and narrate those associations,” said Inua Ellams.
“When poetry and photography meet, they tease out the soul of a place. In Nigeria’s case, that soul is layered, lyrical, and always on the brink of theatre,” added Logor.
The poems will be performed in a recorded presentation featuring Jonathan Ajayi, Hammed Animashaun, Sule Rimi, Diana Yekinni, and Antonia Layiwola. Direction is by Gbolahan Obisesan.
Ellams was inspired to write the sonnets while researching Barber Shop Chronicles in Lagos, where he frequently saw the phrase “This house is not for sale. Beware of 419” spray-painted on buildings. These warnings, meant to deter conmen, sparked a deeper investigation into the motivations behind such acts.
The resulting sonnets are humorous, heartfelt, and deeply human, offering a nuanced counter-narrative to the 419 stereotype.
Commissioned by Fuel and supported by Arts Council England, The 419 brings together two powerful art forms to illuminate the soul of a city.
Listings and ticket information can be found here
