Joyce Onwuka
In a historic move set to redefine public access to art and culture in Nigeria, the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art (YSMA), Pan-Atlantic University, is proud to announce that admission to the museum will become free for all visitors beginning June 15, 2026.
The initiative, the first of its kind since the museum’s establishment, has been made possible through the generous support Aisha and Gbenga Oyebode, who are among Nigeria’s most active art collectors and philanthropists. They have committed to funding the programme for an initial period of three years. Mr. Oyebode also serves as a member of the YSMA Museum Advisory Board.
The announcement marks a major milestone in the museum’s journey to broaden public access to Nigerian art and deepen cultural participation across diverse audiences. By removing financial barriers to entry, YSMA hopes to welcome significantly larger audiences into its galleries while strengthening its role as a center for learning, tourism, research, and public engagement.
For a museum founded on the principle that art should educate, inspire, and serve society, the initiative represents more than free admission — it is an investment in cultural inclusion and the democratization of access to heritage and creativity.
Speaking on the significance of the initiative, Jess Castellote, Museum Director, described the development as progressive for the institution and its audiences.
“This is an important moment in the history of YSMA,” he said. “Making the museum freely accessible to the public removes an important barrier between people and culture. It allows more students, families, young creatives, researchers, tourists, and everyday visitors to encounter Nigerian art in meaningful ways. We are deeply grateful to Mr. and Mrs. Gbenga Oyebode for their generosity and vision in supporting an initiative that aligns perfectly with the museum’s mission of accessibility, education, and public service.”
Mr. and Mrs. Gbenga Oyebode noted that the decision to support free access to the museum reflects their belief in the power of art and cultural institutions to shape society and expand opportunities for learning and civic engagement.
“Museums are spaces of knowledge, reflection, and human connection,” they remarked. “Supporting free public access to YSMA is about ensuring that more people, especially young Nigerians, can experience the richness of our artistic and cultural heritage without limitations. The museum has already established itself as one of the country’s most important cultural institutions, and we believe initiatives such as this are essential to building a stronger culture of engagement with the arts in Nigeria.”
The initiative comes at a significant time for Lagos’ evolving tourism and cultural landscape. Following recent strategic engagements with the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators (NATOP) and the Eko Tourism Foundation (ETF), YSMA continues to strengthen its positioning as a major cultural destination within the rapidly developing Ibeju-Lekki corridor and the broader tourism ecosystem of Lagos State.
As Lagos increasingly expands its ambitions as a global centre for culture, creativity, and tourism, free public access to the museum is expected to significantly enhance visitor traffic, cultural participation, and educational engagement, while making YSMA more accessible to local and international audiences alike.
Since opening in 2019, the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art has become one of Nigeria’s leading cultural institutions, housing one of the country’s most significant collections of Nigerian art and serving as a dynamic platform for exhibitions, education, scholarship, and public dialogue. Through this landmark initiative, YSMA further reinforces its commitment to making art accessible to all and strengthening the role of museums within the cultural and social life of Nigeria.