The Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art (YSMA) at Pan-Atlantic University hosted a delegation from the Eko Tourism Foundation (ETF) on May 11, in a high-level visit that highlighted the growing role of cultural institutions in Lagos State’s bid to become a global tourism destination.
The ETF delegation was led by the Chairman of its Board of Trustees and former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed. He was received by Pan-Atlantic University Vice-Chancellor Prof. Enase Okonedo, Grand Donor and YSMA Supervisory Council Chairman Prince Yemisi Shyllon, and Museum Director Dr. Jess Castellote.
The visit included presentations on YSMA’s educational impact, a documentary screening on the museum’s community programmes in the Ibeju-Lekki corridor, and a guided tour of the collections. Mohammed also donated copies of his book, Headlines & Soundbites: Media Moments that Defined an Administration, to the Pan-Atlantic University Library.
•Members of the Board of Trustees of ETF and Representatives of the Shyllon Museum and Pan-Atlantic University at the event on May 11 2026Dr. Castellote said the visit marked a shift in how museums are understood. “YSMA was founded with the vision of preserving Nigerian art and making it accessible to the public through learning and engagement,” he said. “To see this vision align so naturally with Lagos State’s broader cultural tourism aspirations is both relevant and encouraging.”
Prof. Okonedo described the collaboration as consistent with the university’s wider social mandate. “The Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art embodies that commitment by serving as a centre for education, cultural preservation, and community engagement,” she said.
Mohammed was direct about the stakes. “Lagos cannot aspire to global cultural relevance without investing in and promoting places that preserve our stories, celebrate our creativity, and project the richness of our heritage to the world,” he said.
Established in 2019, YSMA is Nigeria’s first purpose-built, privately funded university museum and was named Museum Opening of the Year by Apollo Magazine in 2020.
