The director of the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art (YSMA) of Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, Mr Jess Castellote, has described museums as not only cultural institutions, but strategic drivers of tourism, education, and national identity.
He said this when the facility welcomed a delegation of the board of trustees and governing council of the Eko Tourism Foundation (ETF) on May 11, 2026.
The visiting team was led by the former Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed. The visit reinforced the growing alignment and importance of art, heritage, and the creative economy to Lagos State’s ambitions of becoming a global cultural tourism hub.
Mr Castellote described the visit as a strong affirmation of the museum’s growing relevance within Nigeria’s tourism and cultural landscape.
“YSMA was founded with the vision of preserving Nigerian art and making it accessible to the public through learning and engagement. To see this vision align so naturally with Lagos State’s broader cultural tourism aspirations is both relevant and encouraging,” he enthused.
The Vice-Chancellor of Pan-Atlantic University, Prof. Enase Okonedo, in her remarks, stressed the importance of partnerships that connect education, culture, and public impact.
“At Pan-Atlantic University, we strongly believe that universities must contribute meaningfully to society beyond the classroom,” she remarked.
“The Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art embodies that commitment by serving as a centre for education, cultural preservation, and community engagement. We commend ETF for the excellent work they are doing.
“Collaborations and visits of this nature strengthen the role of both the university and the museum within the wider vision of Lagos as a globally competitive cultural capital,” the university don stated.
In his speech, Mr Mohammed underscored the role of culture as the foundation of sustainable tourism and described YSMA as one of the kinds of institutions capable of reshaping how the world sees Lagos and Nigeria.
“Tourism thrives on identity, memory, and authentic experiences, and institutions like the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art are central to that vision,” he said.
“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. What has been built here at YSMA represents exactly the kind of cultural destination that belongs on the itinerary of every visitor to Lagos,” he added.
The former Minister donated copies of his recent book, Headlines and Soundbites: Media Moments that Defined an Administration, to the Pan-Atlantic University Library.
Established in 2019 as Nigeria’s first purpose-built and privately funded university museum, YSMA is evolving into one of West Africa’s most important cultural institutions, combining a globally significant art collection with educational and community-enriching programming.