Lai Mohammed Leads Eko Tourism Foundation Delegation To Yemisi Shyllon Museum Of Art

The Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art (YSMA), Pan-Atlantic University, hosted a high-level delegation from the Eko Tourism Foundation on May 11, 2026, in a strategic engagement that further highlighted Lagos State’s growing ambition to position itself as a leading global cultural tourism destination.

The delegation was led by former Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, who currently serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Eko Tourism Foundation.

He was received by the Vice-Chancellor of Pan-Atlantic University, Enase Okonedo; the Grand Donor and Chairman of the YSMA Supervisory Council, Yemisi Shyllon; Museum Director, Jess Castellote; alongside other senior stakeholders from the university and museum community.

The visit featured presentations highlighting the museum’s vision, educational impact and community engagement initiatives, particularly within the rapidly developing Ibeju-Lekki corridor. Guests also viewed a documentary showcasing YSMA’s educational programmes and participated in a guided tour of the museum’s collections.

During the engagement, Lai Mohammed donated copies of his recent book, Headlines & Soundbites: Media Moments that Defined an Administration, to the Pan-Atlantic University Library. The books were formally received by Prof. Okonedo on behalf of the institution.

WHY THE VISIT MATTERS BEYOND CEREMONIAL ENGAGEMENT

While the visit appeared ceremonial on the surface, its deeper significance lies in the growing recognition that museums, universities and cultural institutions are becoming critical economic assets within Lagos State’s broader tourism vision.

As Lagos continues expanding beyond its reputation as Nigeria’s commercial capital, attention is increasingly shifting toward:

• heritage tourism
• cultural storytelling
• creative economy development
• educational tourism
• and destination branding.

Within that framework, YSMA and Pan-Atlantic University are emerging as strategic infrastructure capable of attracting both local and international cultural audiences.

Established in 2019, YSMA remains Nigeria’s first purpose-built and privately funded university museum. Over the years, it has evolved into one of West Africa’s most respected cultural institutions through its blend of:

• historical preservation
• contemporary artistic engagement
• public education
• and community-centred programming.

The strategic engagement with the Eko Tourism Foundation signals that institutions like YSMA are no longer viewed only as cultural repositories but as active contributors to Lagos State’s long-term tourism economy.

JESS CASTELLOTE: MUSEUMS ARE NOW STRATEGIC TOURISM DRIVERS

Speaking during the visit, Museum Director Dr Jess Castellote described the engagement as evidence of a changing perception of museums within Nigeria’s development landscape.

According to him, museums are increasingly being recognised not just as centres of preservation, but as institutions capable of driving:

• tourism
• education
• national identity
• and international cultural engagement.

“This visit by the Eko Tourism Foundation reflects an important shift in how museums are increasingly recognised, not only as cultural institutions, but as strategic drivers of tourism, education, and national identity,” Castellote stated.

He added that YSMA’s founding vision has always centred on preserving Nigerian art while making it accessible to wider audiences through learning and public engagement.

For YSMA, the growing alignment with Lagos State’s tourism ambitions represents both validation and opportunity.

PAN-ATLANTIC UNIVERSITY LINKS EDUCATION TO CULTURAL IMPACT

Vice-Chancellor Prof. Enase Okonedo emphasised that universities must extend their impact beyond academic classrooms into wider societal development.

She described the museum as a strong reflection of Pan-Atlantic University’s broader commitment to:

• education
• cultural preservation
• community engagement
• and public impact.

“At Pan-Atlantic University, we strongly believe that universities must contribute meaningfully to society beyond the classroom,” she said.

She further commended the Eko Tourism Foundation for promoting collaborations capable of strengthening Lagos’ cultural competitiveness globally.

Her comments reinforced a growing conversation around how universities can become active participants in urban cultural transformation rather than operating only as academic institutions.

LAI MOHAMMED: CULTURE REMAINS THE FOUNDATION OF TOURISM

Former Information Minister Lai Mohammed underscored the importance of culture and heritage in building sustainable tourism economies.

According to him, tourism thrives on:

• identity
• memory
• storytelling
• and authentic experiences.

He described YSMA as one of the kinds of institutions capable of reshaping international perceptions of Lagos and Nigeria.

“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 stated.

Mohammed further noted that YSMA already represents the kind of destination that should become part of every visitor’s Lagos itinerary.

THE BIGGER STORY MANY ARE OVERLOOKING

Beyond the official speeches and photographs, the visit reflects a much larger transformation currently happening within Lagos.

For years, Lagos has been globally associated primarily with:

• business
• entertainment
• nightlife
• and commercial energy.

Now, policymakers and cultural stakeholders are increasingly pushing to reposition the state as:

• a heritage destination
• a creative capital
• and a centre for intellectual and artistic exchange.

That transition cannot happen through entertainment alone.

It requires:

• museums
• universities
• cultural institutions
• public-private collaborations
• and spaces capable of preserving Nigerian stories while presenting them to global audiences.

This is where YSMA’s role becomes strategically important.

The museum is gradually evolving into more than an exhibition space.

It is becoming:

• a cultural diplomacy platform
• a tourism asset
• an educational hub
• and a gateway into Nigeria’s artistic identity.

As Lagos develops major infrastructure across the Lekki and Ibeju-Lekki corridor, institutions like YSMA may eventually become central to how the city markets itself internationally beyond commerce and Afrobeats.

A SHARED VISION FOR CULTURE, TOURISM AND EDUCATION

The convergence between YSMA, Pan-Atlantic University and the Eko Tourism Foundation reflects a growing consensus that culture, tourism and education must work together if Lagos hopes to compete globally as a destination city.

Tourism experts increasingly argue that successful global cities are defined not only by infrastructure and commerce, but by:

• storytelling
• heritage
• cultural memory
• artistic identity
• and immersive visitor experiences.

The visit reinforces YSMA’s emergence as one of the institutions helping shape that future for Lagos and Nigeria at large.

As the city continues positioning itself on the global stage, the museum’s expanding role suggests that Nigerian art and cultural heritage are gradually moving from the margins into the centre of economic and tourism conversations.