Culture

Grandeur Signature Heritage Tour Revives Cultural Tourism

Published

1 year ago

August 5, 2025

Grandeur Signature Heritage Tour launches with Lagos-Abeokuta train experience, promoting Nigeria’s cultural sites and boosting domestic tourism engagement

Grandeur Signature Heritage Tour has officially launched with a one-day cultural train trip from Lagos to Abeokuta, signaling a bold step toward revitalizing Nigeria’s domestic tourism sector.

Also read: Sanwo-Olu Backs Lagos Cultural Heritage Preservation Drive

Organized by Grandeur Signature Travel & Tours, the initiative took tourists to iconic cultural landmarks in Ogun State, including Olumo Rock, Alake’s Palace, Itoku Market, the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, and the Centenary Hall.

Founder Prince Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon, a respected art patron and Ake royal family member, said the aim is to promote deeper cultural awareness and help Nigerians especially those in the diaspora reconnect with their heritage.

“This is more than sightseeing. It’s about meaningful cultural experiences,” Shyllon stated.

Participants enjoyed a full package including train travel, private buses within Abeokuta, traditional lunch, guided storytelling, and branded kits—all at a cost of ₦100,000.

Tourists also supported local artisans and traders, giving small businesses a welcomed boost.

Tourism curator Lucy Abena described the Grandeur Signature Heritage Tour as a job-creating, economy-supporting model, saying it could bolster Nigeria’s tourism sector, which contributes less than 4% to GDP compared to the global average of 10%.

Tourists like Sandra Adebayo found the tour inspiring: “It felt like walking through a living history book.”

Also read: Nigeria Leads Cultural Identity Revival through Art, Heritage

With rising interest among Nigerians abroad in reconnecting with their culture, this new initiative is seen by stakeholders as a promising, well-executed effort to spark growth in local tourism.

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Culture

WAKE UP! Art Exhibition Returns for a Second Act

Published

2 weeks ago

August 27, 2026

Mariam Balogun

The contemporary art and photography exhibition “Wake Up!” is back again for a second edition.

Curated by Awele Onwordi, Wake Up! 2 exhibition pays homage to the Nigerian youth and burgeoning street culture which many of its contributing artists reference in their works.

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Titled “Young, Wild, Free”, the exhibition celebrates the creativity, resilience, freedom and cultural influence found in Nigerian youth.

Taking aim at societal issues and economic concerns, the exhibit reflects the youth and their refusal to compromise or bow despite all the challenges stacked against them while charting youth culture through art, music, fashion, skateboarding, photography and community.

The exhibition will be held, once again, at the Angel and Muse Gallery at 25 Sumbo Jibowu street off Ribadu Road off Awolowo Road in Ikoyi.

It will open on Saturday 5 September 2026 and will run until 11 September 2026
This second edition which focuses on celebrating, nurturing and exploring artistic practices rooted in youth and street culture will feature works from DENCITY and SUPERGLIDER HOUSE.

Exhibiting artists include Ajilore Kehinde – their work is deeply influenced by Nigerian street culture and works of other artists like Slawn, Peters Ejiro, etc, Chuka Onwordi – graphic designer who embodies themes of death, melancholy and beauty in his works, ZIDYEP – Abuja based creative whose works move between digital and physical spaces through art, graphic design and air brushing , Franklyn Okoye – graphic designer and artist whose works explore themes of identity and hyper-reality, Awele Onwordi – founder & curator of WAKE UP and multidisciplinary artist whose practice spans character art, creative logo design, album covers and more , Oluchi Kogolo – digital illustrator whose work explores street culture, personality and storytelling through a raw and playful visual style and Kozetuo Apeji – multidisciplinary artists who work explores experimental approaches to problem solving through both digital and traditional art forms.

Commenting on the exhibition in her curatorial statement, Awele noted that “despite economic instability, limited opportunities and socio-political challenges, Nigerian youth continue to shape culture through music, fashion, art, skateboarding, raves, photography and community.”

Also read: Five rising stars battle for 2026 Headies Next Rated

Continuing and harping on the raison d’etre of the exhibition she said, “Young, Wild and Free exists to celebrate Nigerian youth while also creating a platform that supports and amplifies them.”