D.Litt(Uniport), D.Litt(PAU). About Us | Oyasaf

CEO/Founder

Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon

Prince Yemisi Adedoyin Claudius Shyllon,
Bsc (Hons)Engr, LLB(Hons), BL, MBA, D.Litt(UniPort), D.Litt(PAU), F.loD, FNSE, FCS, FNIM, FCIM, FNIMN, FEPHM, FNIAE, FCIAN, COREN

Prince Yemisi Adedoyin Claudius Shyllon, is a prominent Nigerian figure with deep roots in the royal lineage of Abeokuta, Ogun State. Known for his significant contributions to the mentorship of youths, education, culture, management, marketing and the arts, as well as his outstanding professional achievements. Prince Shyllon has carved a unique path that bridges traditional heritage with modern innovation. He belongs to the Sogbulu and Ogunfayo lineage of the Laarun royal ruling house of Ake in Egbaland. Some of his notable contributions to humanity are distinguished in fields of education, culture, arts and many professional sectors.

Educational Background

Prince Shyllon’s educational pursuits reflect his commitment to excellence across diverse fields. His academic journey spans engineering, business administration, stockbroking, marketing and law, with each marked by high honours and professional fellowships, underscoring his intellectual versatility and dedication.

  • B.Sc. in Engineering: University of Ibadan, Second Class Upper Division (1977).
  • MBA:in Marketing & Finance: University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), with distinction (1980)
  • LLB: University of Lagos, Second Class Upper Division (1990).
  • BL: Nigerian Law School, Second Class Upper Division (1991).
  • Fellowships: Fellow of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, Institute of Directors, Institute of Management, Institute of Marketing of Nigeria, Environment and Public Health Management Institute, Institute of Agricultural Engineers, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers, Chartered Institute of Auctioneers, and other professional bodies.
  • Honorary Doctorate degrees: University of Port Harcourt (D.Litt.)-2012, Pan Atlantic University, Lagos (D.Litt.)-2022 and Crescent university, Abeokuta (DSc)-2024.

Professional Achievements

Prince Shyllon’s professional milestones, include becoming the first African Director of Marketing at a major multinational and holding key leadership positions in various sectors.

  • Early career: Started at UACN Plc’s Caterpillar subsidiary and rose to be the Marketing Manager.
  • Pioneer role: At age 31, became the first African Director of Marketing for Nigerite Ltd, with the slot of ETEX Group of Belgium, in Nigerite Ltd.
  • Leadership & legal roles:
    • Served as Legal Adviser of Nigerite Ltd.
    • Chaired and served on numerous statutory boards starting from the age of 37, at OGBC, OGTV and ending at Gateway Tourism Corporation, while still serving at some few corporate boards.
    • He was the chairman of Raigate Investment Corporation of Ogun State Government (1994-1996).
    • He led the redevelopment of Abeokuta's Olumo Rock, as chairman of Gateway Tourism Corporation, into a significant tourist edifice.
    • In 1994, he was also a member of the Chris Ogunjobi led, Ogun State Economic Development Committee.
    • Served the government of President Goodluck Jonathan as member of the National Heritage Commission and Endowment for the Arts.
    • Served in the Presidency, of President Buhari, as the sole representative of the South-West in the National Honours Awards Committee. He is currently still serving, under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
    • Served as a member of the Nigerian National Think Tank.
    • In 1999, he served as secretary of the transition housing sub-committee and as a member of the power deregulation sub-committee in the transition committee of incoming government of Senator Bola Tinubu’s of Lagos state.
    • He served in 2002, as the chairman of the tourism sub-committee of the in-coming government of Otunba Gbenga Daniel of Ogun State.
    • Prince Shyllon was for some eight years (2004-2010), the Vice Chairman of the Ogun State Economic Summit, under Otunba Gbenga Daniel’s government.
    • He is currently (2023-date), the Patron of the Society of Nigerian Broadcasters, Ogun state chapter and currently serving as Grand Patron of “Poets in Nigeria” (PIN).
    • He is the current Grand Patron of Ogun Society of Artists from 2019 to date.
    • He was the president of the Chartered Institute of Marketing of Nigeria from (2005 to 2006).

Contributions to Art & Culture

Being deeply passionate about preserving and promoting African art and culture, Prince Shyllon has made substantial contributions, using his (OYASAF) foundation, to promote Art and Cultural initiatives. His efforts have not only enriched Nigeria’s cultural landscape but has also brought global attention, to African art.

OYASAF (Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation) contributions:

  • Founded in 2007, OYASAF holds Africa’s largest private art collection with over 7,000 artworks.
  • It archives over 55,000 photographs in documenting Nigerian & Benin Republic’s cultural festivals, which are currently being promoted on YouTube.
  • It organizes art residency programs for artists and also selflessly sponsors scholars, researchers, curators, artists and art historians from within and outside Nigeria, to visit and study his collections, interact with Nigerian artists and art institutions, which includes stakeholders, in the promotion of research into Nigerian art and culture.
  • Over sixty (60) artists and scholars, from within and outside Nigeria, have benefitted from OYASAF, in publishing and promoting the understanding of Nigerian art and culture, to the world.

Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art:

  • Co-founded, Solely financed and still supporting the operations of the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art (YSMA), of the Pan Atlantic University, Ibeju-Lekki. YSMA is Nigeria’s first privately funded University Museum of Art.
  • Over one thousand (1,000) artworks have been donated to the YSMA.

Cultural promotions:

  • Patron and Member of Council, of the Pan African Heritage Museum (PAHM), in Ghana.
  • Endowed a Professorial Chair (2012) in Visual Art, at the University of Port Harcourt, from where “The Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation Journal (“TOJA”) was published for more than a decade.
  • Sponsors every Friday, an Engineering weekly program on DStv 260, (Titled: “Engineering and You”).
  • Sponsors every Sunday, a weekly promotion of Arts, on DStv 260, (Titled: “Art world and You”).
  • Chairs the annual “Music Minds Legacy project”.

Selfless Donations:

Prince Shyllon’s commitment to public service is evident in his philanthropic efforts and contributions to educational and cultural institutions. His generosity has left a lasting impact in various public spaces and academic environments across Nigeria.

Art donations:

  • Donated eighteen (18) life-size sculptures to Freedom Park, in Lagos.
  • Donated a twenty (20) feet metal Sculptural Monument to University of Ibadan (UI), titled, “Towards achieving distinction”.
  • Donated a sixteen (16) feet bronze Sculptural monument to the University of Lagos (UNILAG) Law faculty, titled, “Culture and Justice”.
  • Organized art workshops in educational institutions and among the Students of Secondary Schools, in Nigeria.
  • Established an Internet WIFI Facility for the benefit of law students of University of Lagos (UNILAG).
  • Established the Yemisi Shyllon E-Library for Crescent University in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

Publications:

  • Authored and contributed to books on Art and Yoruba Indigenous culture.
  • He was the publisher of the defunct first and only Law Newspaper in Nigeria, (Law Mirror), Cartoons Magazine, titled: (Calabash), Comic & Gossip Magazine titled: (Today’s Choice).
  • Invested and served as director on the board of The News Ltd, (Publishers of “The News” Magazine and defunct Tempo magazine)

Awards & Honors

Prince Shyllon’s extraordinary achievements have been recognized with numerous awards and honors, both locally and internationally. These accolades highlight his influence in the realms of culture, education, and national development. International recognitions:

  • 2019 African Achievers Award at the House of Commons, UK.
  • 2021 Leopold Sedar Senghor Prize for African Cultural Creativity and Impact.

Local honors:

  • Titles include “OMEZURU NDIGBO NA NIGERIA” and “GARKUWA MATASAN, NIJERIA.”

Global Influence

As a global ambassador of African Art and Culture, Prince Shyllon has explored many countries of the world, in extensively sharing his expertise and promoting African heritage at the World stage. His effort has enhanced the global appreciation of African art and culture, which continues to enrich and preserve Nigeria’s cultural heritage.

Worldwide engagements:

  • Explored major cultural heritages in over 72 countries of the World.
  • Sponsored by the Fair organizers, to contribute presentation about Nigeria’s Art, at the “Johannesburg Art fair”, in 2014.
  • Sponsored by the Fair organizers, to contribute presentation about African Art at the “Dubai Art fair”, in 2015.
  • Sponsored by the fair organizers, as a panelist to the Bassel Art fair, in Switzerland, in 2018.
  • He has actively participated in many other global art fairs, lectures, and conferences.

Cultural ambassador:

  • Committed to advancing global understanding and appreciation of African art and culture