One of Nigeria’s most celebrated art institutions is throwing open its doors at no cost.
The Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art (YSMA) at Pan-Atlantic University will offer free admission to all visitors from June 15, 2026, in what marks the first initiative of its kind since the museum’s founding. The move is made possible by a three-year funding commitment from prominent collectors and philanthropists Aisha and Gbenga Oyebode, who also sits on the museum’s Advisory Board.
For Museum Director Jess Castellote, the significance runs deeper than waived entry fees.
“This is an important moment in the history of YSMA,” he said. “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. Oyebode for their generosity and vision.”
The Oyebodes say the decision reflects a conviction that art institutions carry a civic responsibility. “Museums are spaces of knowledge, reflection, and human connection,” they said. “Supporting free public access is about ensuring that more people, especially young Nigerians can experience the richness of our artistic and cultural heritage without limitations.”
The timing is deliberate. YSMA has been deepening ties with the Nigerian Association of Tour Operators and the Eko Tourism Foundation, positioning itself as an anchor cultural destination within Lagos’ fast-developing Ibeju-Lekki corridor. As Lagos grows its ambitions as a global hub for creativity and tourism, free admission is expected to drive meaningful increases in visitor numbers and educational engagement.
Since opening in 2019, YSMA has built one of Nigeria’s most significant collections of Nigerian art, earning its place as a cornerstone of the country’s cultural life. This initiative, its backers hope, will ensure that legacy belongs to everyone.