J.W. Julian's Light Up Nigeria Project
In 2026, I started using nearly 100% of all net sales of Ebby the Magnificent, my art (including originals and Giclee Prints), and art greeting cards to purchase solar-powered lamps for artists in Nigeria who lack access to basic electricity. I named this initiative "Light Up Nigeria." Inspired by Ebby's adventures in kindness, Light Up Nigeria is my gift to the artists in Nigeria who need a little help to continue creating their art after the sun goes down.
Background
In 2024, I became acquainted with David Praise, a young artist in Nigeria, through Facebook. Although some might have blocked him, incorrectly assuming he was a scammer, I took the time to look at his posts and found him to be an exceptional graphite pencil artist. One video, which captivated me in particular, was of David drawing a vegetable seller at a makeshift table set under a palm frond-covered enclosure along a busy dirt road. Red dust mixed with black smoke billowing out of the tuk-tuks, buses, and motorcycles traveling along the road. I was impressed with David's ability to create such beautiful art in somewhat harsh and noisy surroundings, considering I needed the perfect table, chair, light, music, temperature, etc. before I sat down to paint. David had already started drawing my Facebook profile picture before I commissioned him to do it. It took some research for me to figure out how to send him money to pay for the portrait (Wise) and for him to figure out how to ship the portrait to me (DHL).
After receiving the portrait in the United States, I learned that David's village did not have electricity. When the sun went down, David, his family, and everyone else in the village relied on kerosene lanterns or generators to provide light after sunset, or they had to wait for the sun to rise the next morning. Soon, I discovered that David's situation was not unusual. Roughly half the Nigerian population lack access to reliable electricity, if they have it at all. David often relied on his cell phone's flashlight to create his art or do his schoolwork at night. Charging the phone's battery was another daily challenge. He had to travel to a "charging station", which was often only a few phone chargers powered by a generator, and stand around while his phone charged. Each trip cost David needless time and expense. The daily hurdles David faced cut deeply into his ability to create art, which was a major source of the income he needed to help support his family.
In November 2025, I learned about a company called QuadLoop, owned by Nigerian entrepreneur Dozie Igweilo, which uses 70% electronic waste to build solar-powered lamps that can also recharge batteries (such as cell phones). The lamp is aptly called "Idunnu", which means "Happiness" in Yoruba. David was the first artist to receive a lamp and can now study (he is working on his Masters in Public Health) and work on his art at night for the first time in his life without wondering if he will be left in the dark. David's joyful reaction to receiving the lamp (which comes with a solar panel) made such a powerful impact, I decided to find more artists who could benefit from receiving a QuadLoop solar lamp.
I have now purchased 57 lamps and solar panels for Nigerian artists (and one Zambian artist). I pay for all expenses of transportation, insurance, etc. to make sure these young artists receive their lamps without cost to them. Each lamp costs USD$50 and the average cost of transportation is $12. The sheer difficulty and expense of arranging transportation and logistics to other countries compelled me to focus on Nigerian recipients until QuadLoop expands. My target is to buy and ship around 100-150 lamps and I am using 100% of my net sales to purchase them lamps, together with funds some friends have given for this project. I am in near-daily contact with many of these artists and I have never felt richer.
Providing light so that these artists can work at night is only one of the many benefits of Light Up Nigeria. The artists, who live in different parts of Nigeria (and Zambia), are forming friendships and a network to support and encourage each other. Dozie and I are in discussions about sponsoring an art exhibition in Lagos where all these incredible artists will sell and display their art. I have also sponsored private Nigerian Art Education Challenges and Art Grants by donating lamps for prizes. Further, each lamp purchase supports Quadloop, a small company owned and operated by hardworking people who are keeping harmful electronic waste out of landfills.
I take substantial measures to ensure that the recipient of each lamp is a genuine artist (regardless of skill or training) who does not engage in unEbby-like behavior. I scour their social media, speak to other artists who know them, have video calls, and otherwise verify that they are who and what they say they are. I then contact Dozie Igweilo, who personally oversees the transportation and delivery of the lamp. Once the artist receives the lamp, they send me a picture holding it. There is no middleman, commission, overhead, committee, or oversight board. Just artist-to-Quadloop-to-artist contact.
I have compiled a video below of over 40 artists who have already received their lamp. If you are on Facebook, Instagram, or Tik Tok you can look at the art they post on their pages. These are genuine artists making real art. Many of their pieces look so realistic that they are often confused for photographs. I have vetted them, and will help you coordinate a purchase of their art or, if you would like to commission portrait or other painting for you, I can assist in the process. I intend to add a section to my website's merchandise page soon where you will be able to by Gallery-quality Giclee prints of their art through me, with them receiving 100% of the net sale proceeds.
If you want to make a real difference in someone's life with no effort, and get a gorgeous book or piece of art in return, please consider purchasing my books, art, or merchandise from my website and I will do all the heavy lifting. And if Light Up Nigeria does not appeal to you, do something else kind. I promise it will make you feel good. We may not be able to change the entire world, but we can change a little bit of it for the better if we want.
