The National Museum of Unity, Ibadan, Oyo state capital, has unveiled its newly renovated exhibition hall, signalling a fresh chapter for artistic and cultural engagement in the city.
The unveiling was marked with a landmark show titled ‘Unity Renewed: The Yemisi Shyllon Inaugural Exhibition’.
The project, curated by Oriyomi Pamela Otuka, was made possible through the support of Adedoyin Yemisi Shyllon, the art patron widely regarded as one of Africa’s most committed collectors and cultural preservationists.
His contribution transformed the hall into a modern, revitalised space dedicated to promoting art, heritage, and national cohesion.
The exhibition was organised by Constance and Sons Art Gallery, led by Dunmade Ayegbayo, its founder, who described the collaboration as both “a profound honour and responsibility”.
He said the gallery intends to use the milestone as a launchpad for deeper engagement with Nigerian art across local and global platforms.
Ayegbayo added that the project marks the beginning of a long-term partnership with the museum, with plans for future exhibitions, educational programmes, and community-focused initiatives.
The event drew artists, collectors, scholars, students and members of the public, many of whom engaged with works reflecting themes of identity, spirituality, resilience, and renewal.
It also featured an impressive list of artists spanning different eras and movements, including Josy Ajiboye, Susanne Wenger, Twin Seven-seven, Damola Ayegbayo, Tosin Oyeniyi and Tijani Mayakiri.
Others include: Sheriff Feyisitan, Olumide Ajayi, Emmanuel Daniel, Wisdom Uche, Israel Oladapo, Clement Nwafor, Olamilekan Okunade, Abidemi Matanmi, Damilola Ajegbomogun, Ani Izuchukwu Valentine and Yemi Ajewole-Alade.
From Ajiboye’s iconic visual storytelling to Wenger’s spiritual explorations, the intricate cosmology of Twin Seven-seven and the bold contemporary expressions of a younger generation of artists, the exhibition offered visitors a sweeping view of Nigeria’s evolving artistic identity.
The museum’s management described the reopening as a major stride in its mission to promote unity through culture, praising Shyllon for his “visionary” support.
They added that the renovated hall will serve as an active space for memory, creativity and intergenerational dialogue.
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