After twenty-three years of vision, patience and quiet determination, award-winning Nigerian photographer Dayo Adedayo is bringing to life a landmark project that promises to reshape photography education and preservation in Africa β the DAP Experience Centre in Lagos.
What began as a personal dream has evolved into a fully realised sanctuary for photography. A place where the past, present and future of image-making will meet under one roof. A space designed not only for professionals, but for students, dreamers and anyone curious about the power of images.
A Historic Call from Don Barber
The journey took a historic turn when Adedayo received a remarkable call from veteran photographer Don Barber, widely regarded as a pioneer of modern Nigerian photography.
Barber informed him that he would be gifting thousands of photography magazines spanning from 1986 to the present day, complete runs with no missing editions. The collection includes globally respected publications such as the legendary British Journal of Photography, founded in 1854 and recognised as the worldβs oldest photography magazine still in circulation.
These archives will now form the foundation of the DAP Experience Centre Library, creating one of the most comprehensive photography research hubs in West Africa.
A Time Capsule of Photographic Evolution
From analogue film to digital innovation, the DAP Experience Centre Library will document the transformation of photography across decades.
Visitors will explore:
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Vintage issues introducing classic film cameras
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Editorial debates from the 1990s film-versus-digital transition
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Early coverage of DSLR technology
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Contemporary discussions around AI, mirrorless systems and mobile photography
The centre is designed to serve as a learning environment where young photographers can study global trends while understanding Nigeriaβs own photographic journey.
A Photography Museum Like No Other in Nigeria
Beyond the library, the DAP Experience Centre will house a museum dedicated to the evolution of cameras and photographic technology.
The exhibition will feature:
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Early pinhole cameras that demonstrate the raw physics of light
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Classic box cameras that popularised home photography
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Twin-lens reflex cameras that defined portraiture
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35mm SLR cameras used by journalists and documentary photographers
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Medium and large-format systems are known for precision and detail
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Early digital cameras that transformed workflows
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Modern smartphones with ultra-high-resolution sensors
From wood and brass constructions to silicon-powered digital devices, the collection will trace humanityβs enduring desire to preserve memory.
Reviving the Darkroom Experience
One of the most anticipated features of the centre is a fully functional darkroom.
Many young photographers have never experienced the process of developing film. The DAP Experience Centre aims to revive that tactile, hands-on education β from negatives immersed in developer trays to the slow emergence of prints under red light.
For Adedayo, this is more than nostalgia. It is about understanding the discipline and craftsmanship that built the foundation of modern photography.
Preserving Nigeriaβs Visual Heritage
The DAP Experience Centre will also highlight Nigeriaβs photographic pioneers who documented independence, festivals, political milestones and cultural history.
The goal is clear: preserve archives, educate the next generation and create a bridge between analogue masters and digital innovators.
As preparations intensify for the public opening, Adedayo has called on photographers, collectors and enthusiasts to donate photography books, journals and archival materials to expand the centreβs growing library.
A Turning Point for Photography in Africa
The establishment of the DAP Experience Centre marks a major milestone for photography in Nigeria and across the continent. It positions Lagos as a growing hub for visual arts education, research and heritage preservation.
After more than two decades of planning, the vision is no longer distant. It is tangible. And with the support of pioneers like Don Barber, the DAP Experience Centre is set to become a defining institution for photography in Africa.
