Prince Yemisi Shyllon, philanthropist and the largest collector of art in Africa, has given a facelift to the exhibition hall at the National Museum of Unity in Ibadan. Shyllon, who recently donated a life-size statue of educationist Tai Solarin to the Tai Solarin University of Education, commissioned the refurbished exhibition hall at the museum in Aleshinloye, Ibadan, on Thursday, November 27, 2025.
It is important to note that Shyllon has impacted numerous lives and institutions through his philanthropic interventions in Nigeria and abroad.
Yet he is set to donate a larger-than-life statue of Chief Obafemi Awolowo to OAU, Ile-Ife, on December 5. He has also received several honorary doctorates and awards from reputable universities across the country for his contributions to human development.
By virtue of Shyllon’s philanthropic gesture and contribution to art and culture, the refurbished hall has been named the Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Exhibition Hall.
“For this reason, the leadership of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, under the capable and forward-thinking direction of our Director-General, Mr. Olugbile Holloway, graciously approved that this hall be named after him.
“This is not just a naming. It is an immortalization. As long as the National Museum of Unity, Ibadan, stands, the name Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon shall be spoken, remembered, and honoured,” Mrs. Oriyomi Pamela Otuka, Curator of the museum, said, describing Shyllon as “a man who did not wait for history to write his name but wrote it himself on the walls of legacy.”
However, the remarkable thing about the facelift of what used to be a dumping ground is that the first art exhibition—featuring the works of 15 artists, including Suzanne Wenger—is currently on display there after the refurbishment.
Aside from giving the hall a structural facelift, Shyllon also donated lighting, a solar inverter, and a generator that runs 24 hours a day and can power at least three air conditioners and the lighting in the museum.
Distinguished guests present at the event included Mrs. Oriyomi Pamela Otuka; Dr. Adeola Balogun; Mr. Dunmade Ayegbayo, CEO, Constance and Sons Art Gallery; and Dr. Peacemaker Efeoghene.
Delivering his welcome address, Mr. Dunmade Ayegbayo expressed appreciation to Shyllon not only for refurbishing the exhibition hall but also for his total contribution to the development of art and culture in Nigeria and across Africa.
“My heartfelt appreciation goes to Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon, whose generous sponsorship made the renovation of this new exhibition hall a reality. His commitment to Nigerian art and heritage has gifted us a dignified space where our stories can be preserved and shared,” Ayegbayo noted.
Ayegbayo also thanked Mrs. Pamela Oriyomi Otuka, the Curator of the National Museum of Unity and event host, “who thoughtfully, with vision and expertise, brought this exhibition together with clarity, heft, and elegance.”
In his acceptance speech, Shyllon expressed appreciation to Mr. Olugbile Holloway, Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments in Nigeria, for encouraging him to embark on the project, and to Mrs. Oriyomi Pamela Otuka for allowing him to refurbish the exhibition hall.
The Egba prince noted that it was Holloway who wrote him a letter recognizing Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, Chief Frank Okonta, and himself for micromanaging the National Museum, Onikan, Lagos, when they set up the first digitalized inventory of a museum in Nigeria, as well as the current display area in that museum. That was after some artists had tried to erase history by wiping off their names from the walls of the museum.
Citing Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Shyllon, known for his wide erudition, said recognition—the third in Maslow’s hierarchy—is very important. That is why Maslow rates it higher than security and physiological needs, which are the fourth and fifth levels in the hierarchy.
“Recognition is a very important element of human existence, no thanks to the great Abram Maslow. If you recognize people, you motivate them to do more. And that is what Hon. Olugbile Holloway did with his letter to me, recognizing the contributions of those two dead men and myself. Which is what brought me here,” Shyllon maintained.
Shyllon also hinged his philanthropy on his belief that giving is not only better than receiving but also makes for purposeful living, which, according to him, is the essence of existence.
He backed up his claims by referencing the school of positive psychology and quoting Winston Churchill and Confucius, as well as passages from both the Holy Bible (KJV version) and the Quran.
“I’m a disciple of the school of positive psychology. I believe that life is supposed to be lived purposefully. The father of the school of positive psychology is a man called Prof. Martin Seligman, and also Prof. Roy Baumeister of Florida State University in the United States.
“They both claim that you can only be happy in life if you give rather than receive. The more you give, the happier you become. It’s a natural thing. So let us live a meaningful life as espoused by the school of positive psychology,” Shyllon noted.
Shyllon then extolled the virtues of Mrs. Oriyomi Pamela Otuka, the Curator of the National Museum of Unity, whom he described as honest, full of integrity, and a great woman.
“I want to thank once again, Oriyomi Pamela Otuka, for giving me this opportunity. She has nothing to gain. And I have nothing to gain. But thousands of artists will exhibit here and make money. They may never meet me in their lives.
“Socrates said that the two attributes of noble minds are humility and gratitude. This woman (Otuka) is humble in greatness. I used to come here. But since this woman took over this place, it has been transformed,” Shyllon enthused.
Shyllon also noted that he had known Otuka for many years, adding that it was she who, alongside Mrs. Ashavi and others, took an inventory of his over 10,000 artworks, and they couldn’t cover it in three days.
“The whole essence I want to leave is: do good, no matter the position God finds you in. Do whatever you can. You don’t have to be rich to do good. But try and leave indelible good, not the kind people will forget when you are gone.”
Quoting the Quran, he continued, “Allah called Mohammed and said You will not be remembered for your wealth or your children. They are mere adornments. You will only be remembered for your good deeds,” Shyllon averred.
Mrs. Oriyomi Pamela Otuka, for her part, thanked Shyllon not only for refurbishing the exhibition hall but also for his immense contributions to her development.
“Today we are celebrating somebody that is very dear to me. He is someone that is a mentor, someone that taught me to be who I am today. If there is anything, he has helped me to build up my confidence. I’m talking about Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon. Sir, it’s a great pleasure to have you here today.
“Today, we are not merely opening a hall; we are unveiling a legacy. We are gathered to commission the Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Exhibition Hall, a monumental space that will forever bear the name of the man whose passion, generosity, and commitment to the preservation of Nigerian and African art is unmatched.
“His unwavering love for culture and belief that art is a powerful custodian of identity motivated him to invest in this place, not for personal applause, but so that generations yet unborn may have a sanctuary where stories, heritage, and creativity are preserved and celebrated.
“Omooba has taught something profound: that art is not luxury; it is legacy; that heritage is not a memory; it is a responsibility. And that one individual, moved by passion, can shift the cultural consciousness of a nation.
“This exhibition carries a message that unity isn’t an abstract idea. It is something that we must continuously renew through culture, heritage, and shared expression. Art gives us that power to remember who we are, to imagine who we can become, and to walk into our future with a sense of identity,” Otuka maintained.
Otuka’s speech and the exhibition that followed signaled the end of the commissioning of the refurbished hall. And as the guests were taken around the 15 artworks on display in that cosy environment, the great work that Shyllon had done by refurbishing what used to be an abandoned building indeed dawned on everyone.
It is important to note that Shyllon has impacted numerous lives and institutions through his philanthropic interventions in Nigeria and abroad.
Yet he is set to donate a larger-than-life statue of Chief Obafemi Awolowo to OAU, Ile-Ife, on December 5. He has also received several honorary doctorates and awards from reputable universities across the country for his contributions to human development.
By virtue of Shyllon’s philanthropic gesture and contribution to art and culture, the refurbished hall has been named the Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Exhibition Hall.
“For this reason, the leadership of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, under the capable and forward-thinking direction of our Director-General, Mr. Olugbile Holloway, graciously approved that this hall be named after him.
“This is not just a naming. It is an immortalization. As long as the National Museum of Unity, Ibadan, stands, the name Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon shall be spoken, remembered, and honoured,” Mrs. Oriyomi Pamela Otuka, Curator of the museum, said, describing Shyllon as “a man who did not wait for history to write his name but wrote it himself on the walls of legacy.”
However, the remarkable thing about the facelift of what used to be a dumping ground is that the first art exhibition—featuring the works of 15 artists, including Suzanne Wenger—is currently on display there after the refurbishment.
Aside from giving the hall a structural facelift, Shyllon also donated lighting, a solar inverter, and a generator that runs 24 hours a day and can power at least three air conditioners and the lighting in the museum.
Distinguished guests present at the event included Mrs. Oriyomi Pamela Otuka; Dr. Adeola Balogun; Mr. Dunmade Ayegbayo, CEO, Constance and Sons Art Gallery; and Dr. Peacemaker Efeoghene.
Delivering his welcome address, Mr. Dunmade Ayegbayo expressed appreciation to Shyllon not only for refurbishing the exhibition hall but also for his total contribution to the development of art and culture in Nigeria and across Africa.
“My heartfelt appreciation goes to Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon, whose generous sponsorship made the renovation of this new exhibition hall a reality. His commitment to Nigerian art and heritage has gifted us a dignified space where our stories can be preserved and shared,” Ayegbayo noted.
Ayegbayo also thanked Mrs. Pamela Oriyomi Otuka, the Curator of the National Museum of Unity and event host, “who thoughtfully, with vision and expertise, brought this exhibition together with clarity, heft, and elegance.”
In his acceptance speech, Shyllon expressed appreciation to Mr. Olugbile Holloway, Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments in Nigeria, for encouraging him to embark on the project, and to Mrs. Oriyomi Pamela Otuka for allowing him to refurbish the exhibition hall.
The Egba prince noted that it was Holloway who wrote him a letter recognizing Chief Rasheed Gbadamosi, Chief Frank Okonta, and himself for micromanaging the National Museum, Onikan, Lagos, when they set up the first digitalized inventory of a museum in Nigeria, as well as the current display area in that museum. That was after some artists had tried to erase history by wiping off their names from the walls of the museum.
Citing Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Shyllon, known for his wide erudition, said recognition—the third in Maslow’s hierarchy—is very important. That is why Maslow rates it higher than security and physiological needs, which are the fourth and fifth levels in the hierarchy.
“Recognition is a very important element of human existence, no thanks to the great Abram Maslow. If you recognize people, you motivate them to do more. And that is what Hon. Olugbile Holloway did with his letter to me, recognizing the contributions of those two dead men and myself. Which is what brought me here,” Shyllon maintained.
Shyllon also hinged his philanthropy on his belief that giving is not only better than receiving but also makes for purposeful living, which, according to him, is the essence of existence.
He backed up his claims by referencing the school of positive psychology and quoting Winston Churchill and Confucius, as well as passages from both the Holy Bible (KJV version) and the Quran.
“I’m a disciple of the school of positive psychology. I believe that life is supposed to be lived purposefully. The father of the school of positive psychology is a man called Prof. Martin Seligman, and also Prof. Roy Baumeister of Florida State University in the United States.
“They both claim that you can only be happy in life if you give rather than receive. The more you give, the happier you become. It’s a natural thing. So let us live a meaningful life as espoused by the school of positive psychology,” Shyllon noted.
Shyllon then extolled the virtues of Mrs. Oriyomi Pamela Otuka, the Curator of the National Museum of Unity, whom he described as honest, full of integrity, and a great woman.
“I want to thank once again, Oriyomi Pamela Otuka, for giving me this opportunity. She has nothing to gain. And I have nothing to gain. But thousands of artists will exhibit here and make money. They may never meet me in their lives.
“Socrates said that the two attributes of noble minds are humility and gratitude. This woman (Otuka) is humble in greatness. I used to come here. But since this woman took over this place, it has been transformed,” Shyllon enthused.
Shyllon also noted that he had known Otuka for many years, adding that it was she who, alongside Mrs. Ashavi and others, took an inventory of his over 10,000 artworks, and they couldn’t cover it in three days.
“The whole essence I want to leave is: do good, no matter the position God finds you in. Do whatever you can. You don’t have to be rich to do good. But try and leave indelible good, not the kind people will forget when you are gone.”
Quoting the Quran, he continued, “Allah called Mohammed and said You will not be remembered for your wealth or your children. They are mere adornments. You will only be remembered for your good deeds,” Shyllon averred.
Mrs. Oriyomi Pamela Otuka, for her part, thanked Shyllon not only for refurbishing the exhibition hall but also for his immense contributions to her development.
“Today we are celebrating somebody that is very dear to me. He is someone that is a mentor, someone that taught me to be who I am today. If there is anything, he has helped me to build up my confidence. I’m talking about Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon. Sir, it’s a great pleasure to have you here today.
“Today, we are not merely opening a hall; we are unveiling a legacy. We are gathered to commission the Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Exhibition Hall, a monumental space that will forever bear the name of the man whose passion, generosity, and commitment to the preservation of Nigerian and African art is unmatched.
“His unwavering love for culture and belief that art is a powerful custodian of identity motivated him to invest in this place, not for personal applause, but so that generations yet unborn may have a sanctuary where stories, heritage, and creativity are preserved and celebrated.
“Omooba has taught something profound: that art is not luxury; it is legacy; that heritage is not a memory; it is a responsibility. And that one individual, moved by passion, can shift the cultural consciousness of a nation.
“This exhibition carries a message that unity isn’t an abstract idea. It is something that we must continuously renew through culture, heritage, and shared expression. Art gives us that power to remember who we are, to imagine who we can become, and to walk into our future with a sense of identity,” Otuka maintained.
Otuka’s speech and the exhibition that followed signaled the end of the commissioning of the refurbished hall. And as the guests were taken around the 15 artworks on display in that cosy environment, the great work that Shyllon had done by refurbishing what used to be an abandoned building indeed dawned on everyone.
