Augustine Okpu Eze (b. 1934-1995) was a largely self-taught as an artist before receiving formal education and training at the Technical Institute & Trade Centre, Enugu, 1950-1955 and Westham Technical College, London, where he studied Technology & Techniques of Materials, 1963-1964.

He was the first recipient of the Mbanefo Trophy for Art, Eastern Nigeria, in 1956. He also won the Sculpture Prize of the Economic Commission of West Africa States, Togo, 1990.

Among his notable solo exhibitions as an artist was the “Legacy of Images: The Sculptures of Okpu Eze,” Italian Cultural Institute, Lagos, April, 1989; New Africa Centre, London, May 1990. He also participated in group exhibitions in Africa and Europe including the First World Festival of Negro Arts, Dakar, Senegal, 1966 and the 269th exhibition of The Royal Society of British Artists at the Mall galleries, London in 1986, which led to his election as Associate Member of the Royal Society of British Artists.

Before his death in 1995, he was the serving president of the Society of Nigerian Artists (SNA).