Governor Sanwo-Olu opens the J Randle Centre’s Yoruba Heritage Museum, highlighting Lagos’ role in preserving and promoting cultural heritage.

Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, officially opened the museum at the J Randle Centre for Yoruba Heritage and Culture in Onikan, Lagos, marking a significant step in preserving and celebrating Yoruba history and identity.

During the inauguration yesterday, he highlighted the importance of cultural heritage for future generations and named Mr Qudus Onikeku as the Centre’s director.

Also read: Governor Sanwo-Olu opens yoruba heritage museum at J Randle Centre

Situated in the heart of Lagos, the museum showcases a wealth of Yoruba historical, artistic, and cultural artifacts, embodying the core mission of the J Randle Centre, commissioned last year.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, in an interactive session with creative industry stakeholders, underscored Lagos’ pivotal role as a hub for tourism, music, film, and art in Africa.

He assured stakeholders of an enabling environment for creativity, reinforcing Lagos as a key destination for arts and culture across the continent and beyond.

Sanwo-Olu stressed the urgent need to reclaim and preserve Yoruba heritage, emphasising, “We need to bring back that inheritance… so we can now leave a rich cultural heritage for the next generation.

This museum will now be a historic site that will talk about our history and culture.” He urged international museums holding Yoruba artifacts to return them, supporting efforts to enrich the legacy of Yoruba heritage by uniting the past, present, and future at the Centre.

Addressing the importance of language in cultural preservation, Sanwo-Olu expressed concern over declining use of the local dialect in schools, highlighting that the rejection of indigenous languages disconnects younger generations from their heritage. He noted that the J Randle Centre aims to bridge this gap by creating a culturally immersive space.

Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Toke Benson-Awoyinka, reaffirmed the Lagos State Government’s commitment to promoting and preserving Yoruba heritage.

She described the J Randle Centre as a beacon of knowledge that celebrates the Yoruba ancestors’ profound contributions and enduring cultural legacy.

With its carefully curated exhibits, the museum fosters a deep sense of connection and pride among all visitors, strengthening ties to Yoruba history and identity.

The museum’s opening represents a major cultural milestone, further establishing Lagos as a centre of art and cultural preservation, open to the world while deeply rooted in Yoruba heritage.