By Peace Udugba
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, has announced 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, is made possible through the generous support of Aisha and Gbenga Oyebode, renowned Nigerian art collectors and philanthropists.
The couple has 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 mission to broaden public access to Nigerian art and deepen cultural participation across diverse audiences.
By removing financial barriers to entry, YSMA aims to welcome significantly larger audiences into its galleries while strengthening its role as a centre 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 development, Jess Castellote, Director of the museum, described it as a progressive step 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 a significant 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 their decision reflects a 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 said. “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 position as a major cultural destination within the rapidly developing Ibeju-Lekki corridor and the broader tourism ecosystem of Lagos State.
As Lagos 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 both local and international audiences.
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.
