The Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art (YSMA) at the Pan-Atlantic University is set to open the second edition of its landmark exhibition, Collecting Now, on October 11, 2025. The exhibition, according to a statement, offers a rare look at the depth of private art ownership in Nigeria by showcasing 90 significant works on loan from six distinguished Nigerian collectors.
“Collecting Now II” features a diverse range of traditional, modern, and contemporary art, spanning painting, sculpture, photography, and mixed media. The works come from the collections of Olufemi Akinsanya, Ifeyinwa Momah, Tayo Odunsi, Nonso Okpala, Bimpe Nkontchou, and Yemi Ogunbiyi. This year’s showcase is notable for spotlighting two women collectors, illustrating the power of collecting as a way of life and an act of advocacy.
•From left: Mr Adeniyi Adenubi, Mrs. Eyamba Dafinone, Mr. Stanley Evans, Mr. Adedotun Sulaiman, and Dr. Jess CastelloteFollowing the success of its 2024 debut, the “Collecting Now” series serves as a critical platform to highlight art collecting in Nigeria and its vital role in sustaining the country’s cultural and creative economy.
“The ‘Collecting Now’ series reinforces YSMA’s role as a pioneering institution that brings private visions into public spaces,” said Dr. Jess Castellote, Director of the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art. He added that the exhibition is shaping a critical conversation about collecting as a cultural practice that ensures continuity and connects Nigeria’s artistic legacy with future generations.
Collector Ifeyinwa Momah shared her personal connection to the initiative, stating that the exhibition is meaningful because it allows personal art experiences to be encountered publicly, sparking conversations that affirm the value of art in daily life.
The exhibition is supported for the second time by Ark Insurance Brokers, which is sponsoring the insurance of the works on display. Kayode Awogboro, Managing Director of Ark Insurance Group, noted that the partnership reflects an enduring belief that Nigerian art is “a national treasure worthy of world-class protection”.
The exhibition will run through February 9, 2026, at the Olori Funmilayo Shyllon Exhibition Gallery of the YSMA.
