National Recognition for Cultural Excellence

The Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art (YSMA), Pan-Atlantic University, has received the Travellers Award 2025/2026 in the category of Top Art Galleries and Museums in Nigeria. This honor recognizes the institution's significant contribution to the country’s travel, tourism, arts, and cultural landscape.

The museum was further distinguished as one of Nigeria’s Top 100 Travel and Tourism Icons during the opening ceremony of the 22nd Akwaaba African Travel Market. The event took place on September 13, 2026, at Eko Hotels & Suites, Lagos. Presented by ATQ News and Travellers Magazine, the recognition followed a public voting process designed to acknowledge organizations making notable strides in the development of Nigerian heritage.

For YSMA, the award comes as the institution expands its focus beyond preservation. The museum is increasingly prioritizing learning, cultural exchange, and community engagement to promote Nigeria’s artistic heritage to a global audience.

A Convergence of Art and Education

Director of YSMA, Dr. Jess Castellote, noted that the award affirms the museum’s growing relevance as a venue where art, education, and public interaction meet. He emphasized that the museum's mission is to make cultural heritage accessible and meaningful to diverse groups.

We are pleased to receive this recognition because it acknowledges something that is central to what we are trying to do at YSMA: make Nigerian art and cultural heritage accessible, meaningful and relevant to diverse audiences.

— Dr. Jess Castellote, Director, Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art

Dr. Castellote further explained that a museum serves as more than a storage facility for objects. He described it as a space for people to encounter new ideas and develop a deeper appreciation of their history. The museum’s location within Pan-Atlantic University has been central to this mission, allowing it to bridge the gap between academic research and public appreciation.

Driving Nigeria's Cultural Ecosystem

The Vice-Chancellor of Pan-Atlantic University, Prof. Enase Okonedo, described the recognition as an affirmation of the university’s commitment to education that extends beyond traditional classrooms. She highlighted the museum's role in opening the institution to the wider community through creativity and heritage.

The recognition of YSMA among Nigeria’s leading travel and tourism icons is a source of great pride for Pan-Atlantic University. It affirms our belief that a university can contribute to society not only through academic excellence, but also through culture, creativity, heritage and public engagement.

— Prof. Enase Okonedo, Vice-Chancellor, Pan-Atlantic University

Since its inception, YSMA has curated various exhibitions and educational programs. Its activities include workshops, research initiatives, and public partnerships intended to connect different demographics with Nigeria's modern and contemporary art scene.

Heritage as a Pillar of Tourism

Ikechi Uko, Founder of the Akwaaba African Travel Market and Publisher of Travellers Magazine, spoke on the rising importance of cultural institutions in the tourism sector. He argued that culture remains at the heart of the travel experience, providing destinations with their unique identity.

Museums and galleries preserve the stories, creativity and heritage that give destinations their identity. The Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art has continued to create opportunities for people to encounter Nigerian art and heritage, and its recognition in the Travellers Awards reflects the contribution such institutions make to the development of tourism in Nigeria.

— Ikechi Uko, Founder, Akwaaba African Travel Market

The Travellers Awards, which began in 1996, have long recognized excellence in aviation, hospitality, and tourism. This latest accolade places YSMA within a prestigious network of stakeholders. The museum currently houses over 1,000 artworks and continues to engage in international collaborations. Previously, YSMA was voted Museum Opening of the Year by Apollo Magazine in 2020, further cementing its status as a leading university art museum in Africa.