Eja Nla II: A Collective Rhythm of Lagos

EJA NLA II

Project Description

Eja Nla II (translated as The Big Fish II) is a large-scale public art installation that expands upon the vision of Eja Nla I, transforming the singular concept of the “Big Fish” into a collective movement. Installed at Oworonshoki–Midian, Lagos, the work captures the spirit of Lagos’s aquatic culture and the Yoruba metaphor of the Eja Nla — a symbol of abundance, strength, and community.

The installation features a dynamic school of fiberglass fish raised on stainless steel poles in rhythmic formation, creating the illusion of motion and unity in the open air. Each form is individually fabricated and balanced to catch the light differently, producing a play of light and shadow that shifts with the time of day and weather. Together, they evoke the flow of water, migration, and the interconnectedness of people and environment.

Constructed from fiberglass on stainless steel poles, the piece merges craftsmanship with structural engineering. Its design responds to wind, light, and public visibility, ensuring both aesthetic presence and safety within its urban context.

Concept & Meaning

Eja Nla II symbolizes the strength of collective identity — many moving as one. It reinterprets Lagos’s riverine narrative, celebrating the city’s relationship with its waterways and the resilience of its people. Where Eja Nla I represented singular power, Eja Nla II speaks of collaboration, rhythm, and harmony — a community in motion.

Through its composition of forms raised on stainless steel poles, the work transforms public space into a site of reflection and wonder, offering travelers and residents alike a moment to look upward and reconnect with the city’s origins in water and movement.

Commissioned by Lagos State Government; curated by Terra Kulture; designed and fabricated by Adeodunfa. Still standing.