The Management of Lagos State University, under the leadership of Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, mni, NPOM, has once again reiterated its commitment to initiatives that will further advance scholarship and top-notch innovation that will place the university on the global map.
The Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academics), Professor Oseni Afisi, made this known while representing the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Ibiyemi Ibilola Olatunji-Bello, mni, NPOM, at the celebration of International Museum Day 2025, held at the Lagos State University Centre for Museums and African Heritage (LASUCEMAH), located at 50/54 Oba Ogunji Road, Pen Cinema, Agege, Lagos, on Sunday, 24th August 2025.
Professor Olatunji-Bello stated that, “This year’s theme reminds us that museums are not only spaces for preserving the past, they are living institutions that connect generations, inspire creativity, and promote dialogue among cultures.”
Speaking further, the Professor of Physiology affirmed that, as a citadel of learning, the institution recognised that knowledge is not confined to textbooks alone, but also embedded in artefacts, tradition, and history that museums safeguard. “Museums are classrooms without walls, where the summary of humanity is preserved for posterity. Today, as we reflect on the significance of museums, let us reflect and commit ourselves to nurturing the culture of innovation, preservation and engagement,” the VC charged.
She called on students and researchers to see museums not as distant archives, but as valuable partners in education, creativity, as well as community building.
In his welcome address, the Director of LASUCEMAH, Professor Maruf Animashaun, noted that museums around the world are not meant for the collection of artefacts alone, but are places for learning, research, and the preservation of history.
Professor Animashaun added that the Centre has gone beyond the preservation of artefacts to become a place where educators, students, and researchers converge to learn and carry out research projects. While commending the stakeholders, he extended appreciation to the Lagos State University Management, staff of LASUCEMAH, and other well-wishers.
The Guest Speaker, Professor Qudus ‘Yinka Amuni, speaking on the theme *The Future of Museums in Rapidly Changing Communities*, emphasised that museums around the world have moved from being mere buildings for the collection of artefacts to institutions that encourage teaching and learning about communities, people, and human lives.
He noted that museums had become not only custodians of artefacts, but rendezvous points of history, serving as historical sites. “Museums have moved away from preserving artefacts; they now serve as community centres, educational hubs, custodians of history for research activities, as well as centres for cultural activities,” the guest speaker said.
Professor Amuni averred that, “With digital innovation, technology has changed the way museums are seen today. It provides information and user engagement.”
Finally, the guest speaker expressed that museums serve as cultural repatriation centres, saying that in the past, museums served as houses where objects were kept, but today, they have gone digital. He added that artefacts taken to Europe and other parts of the world, when repatriated, should be preserved at the LASU Museums. He commended the Director and staff of the Centre for the good work and the facelift seen at the Centre.
Goodwill messages were delivered by some of the invited guests, while an interlude was provided by the Yoruba and the Linguistics Students’ Association (YoLSA) Troupe, Lagos State.
Other guests at the event included: Director, Lagos State University School of Basic and Advanced Studies (LASUBAS), Professor Yunus Dauda; Head, Foreign Languages Department, Lagos State University, Professor Nosiru Onibon; Special Assistant to the Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Registrar, Dr Lateef Salami; Secretary, Postgraduate School, Mr Gbenga Sadiku; retired Curator, LASUCEMAH, Mr Kolawole Gbaja; Dr Ibraheem Raheem, LASUSTECH; and members of staff in the Centre for Information and Public Relations (CIPR), Lagos State University.
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