Williams Chechet is a contemporary visual artist and one of the creatives breathing refreshing new life into the Nigerian art space. Known for his bold Afrofuturistic style, Chechet’s work merges traditional Nigerian iconography with pop culture and digital techniques. Through his work, he finds creative ways to celebrate Nigerian identity while reframing it through a modern, global lens.

Chechet’s latest collaboration with Glenfiddich, the globally renowned Scotch whisky brand, is titled “Celebrate the Bold.” The limited-edition packaging project honours three notable Nigerian creatives: Mr Eazi, Nancy Isime, and Ifeanyi Nwune and came to life through a Lagos exhibition that showcased the artworks Chechet created for each collaborator, alongside select pieces from his broader catalogue.

In this interview, we speak to Chechet about the creative process behind “Celebrate the Bold,” his commitment to amplifying northern Nigerian culture, and how commercial projects like this push him to discover new elements within his own practice. He also reflects on the legacy he hopes to leave and the evolving relationship between visual art, identity, and storytelling in Nigeria today.

How did you approach designing the limited-edition Glenfiddich sleeve? What elements were most important to you?

Before diving into the designs, I had in-depth conversations with Ifeanyi, Nancy, and Mr Eazi. Understanding their backgrounds—their childhoods, what drives their boldness and innovation, and the risks they’ve taken as creatives—was crucial. For example, Ifeanyi is a fashion designer inspired by traditional Nigerian textiles like aso oke and adire. He also has a unique personal history, including studying electrical engineering and an incident where he was electrocuted as a child.

The partnership with Glenfiddich was special because the brand gave me room to dig deep and treat each design as a narrative. It wasn’t about just making something visually appealing—it was about crafting pieces that felt authentic and intimately connected to each personality. That authenticity was what mattered most to me.

Speaking more broadly about your work, it often reimagines traditional Nigerian motifs. Can you talk about some of those motifs and why it’s important to you that they are prominent in your work?

I’m deeply connected to my roots. My art is a reflection of who I am—a proud Nigerian, a Black creative, someone shaped by a rich, multicultural upbringing. I was born in Kano and raised in Kaduna, which gave me exposure to northern and central Nigerian cultures. My work draws from that tapestry—language, textiles, architecture, attire, and oral traditions—and reinterprets it in a way that feels fresh and globally resonant.

By fusing traditional iconography with digital and pop cultural elements, I’m pushing Nigerian aesthetics into new spaces. It’s about showing that our heritage is not static—it’s alive, modern, and deserving of global recognition.

Could you go into more detail about how your northern heritage has influenced your work

Growing up in the North, I noticed a gap in how Northern Nigerian culture was represented in the art world, which is often dominated by southern and western references.The North wasn’t represented as much, and I took that as a personal challenge. So I started highlighting northern fashion—men in turbans,traditional turbans and babariga robes worn by men—as symbols of cultural pride—because I believe fashion is one of the strongest cultural storytellers.

How do you hope your collaboration with Glenfiddich will inspire emerging Nigerian artists?

I hope it gives them permission to be bold. To take creative risks. To believe that their stories and identities are worth telling—and worth celebrating. Glenfiddich’s “Celebrate the Bold” wasn’t just a slogan; it became a mindset throughout the process. The brand really empowered me to tap into something deeper than surface-level aesthetics, and that’s a powerful message for emerging creatives.

Taking risks is essential in any creative journey, and I want young artists to see this collaboration and realize that our culture, our uniqueness, and even our personal histories are rich enough to anchor global projects. It’s about being unapologetically Nigerian—and globally relevant at the same time.

Do you feel that your work and the work of other Nigerian artists in general should have an impact beyond the art community?

Absolutely. Art should educate, provoke thought, and spark conversation beyond galleries or collectors. Early in my career, I did a series using the naira note, and I was surprised to discover how many people didn’t know the names or stories behind the figures on our currency. At one of my exhibitions, I found myself giving mini history lessons on Nigerian heroes. That’s when it hit me—art has the power to fill cultural knowledge gaps and preserve stories that might otherwise be forgotten.

Speaking of your earlier work, do you feel like your priorities in terms of how you approach art have shifted in any specific ways since you first started out?

Definitely. Initially, my focus was on storytelling, but over time I discovered Afrofuturism—a movement that blends African heritage with futuristic themes. This fusion of Western and African art influences has reshaped my approach, allowing me to create work that is both inspiring and culturally resonant.

What message do you want audiences to take away from your Celebrate the Bold exhibition?

I want the audience to understand that boldness isn’t just about loudness or attention—it’s about authenticity. Being bold means embracing your story, your craft, your quirks, and your heritage. Owning your uniqueness is your superpower. That’s the message I hope audiences carry with them.

Do you feel like these types of collaborations bring out a different side to your work than your more independent projects?

Definitely. Collaborations challenge you to step outside of your comfort zone. Working with Glenfiddich pushed me to explore themes and visual languages I might not have considered on my own. While researching this project, for example, I discovered that Nigeria has an official national flower which appears on our Coat of Arms. I had never noticed it before. That detail sparked a new appreciation for national symbols and their potential in visual storytelling. So yes, these kinds of projects don’t just showcase your work—they expand it.

What legacy do you hope to leave through your art and collaborations?

I want to leave behind a legacy of impact—of cultural pride, of innovation, and of fearless storytelling. I want my work to live beyond me, to be a reference point for future generations of African artists who want to do things differently. Collaborations like this one with Glenfiddich remind me that our stories are not small. They’re powerful. They deserve to be seen, preserved, and celebrated on the global stage.