John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture & History
Lagos, Nigeria
The John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture and History is a ground-breaking cultural attraction that honors the Yoruba people of Nigeria. Yoruba experts and novices alike can dive deep into the stories, myths, and traditions of Yoruba heritage, encountering immersive experiences, from the dynamism of Yoruba festivals to the rich visual culture of Yoruba history and ancestry.
As an all-encompassing celebration of Yoruba art, fashion, literature, music, and history, the John Randle Centre’s collections have been drawn from the communities they celebrate. RAA provided both exhibition design and project management work on the John Randle Centre. For this, we worked under Seun Oduwole of SI.SA Architecture, who designed the building and assembled the curatorial, exhibition, and installation teams to execute his vision for the Centre.
As project managers, RAA helped the curatorial team create policies of contemporary collecting, which they implemented by reaching out to notable figures and their families and establishing relationships built on trust and mutual respect in order to secure loans and donations of famous works, clothing, or other significant personal items. This led to objects donated by Wole Soyinka, Lola Shoneyin and Ebenezer Obey as well as the families of Chief Obafemi Awolowo, Fela Kuti, Baba Sala and D.O. Fagunwa. Inspired by the community spirit of the project, local collectors have also been moved to donate contemporary artworks and striking examples of traditional Yoruba sculpture.
In addition to RAA’s exhibition design work, we also designed and delivered a new website for the Centre. Covering object stories, curatorial collecting efforts, and the philosophy and thinking behind SI.SA’s architecture and RAA’s exhibition designs, the website serves as a virtual front door for the Centre prior to opening, enabling it to publicize its mission and progress.
Size 1,000 square meters
Year 2024
Architect SI.SA Architects
Project Details
FabricatorsThe Hub
Audio-Visual IntegrationSysco
Interactive MediaClay Interactive
LightingDHA Designs
ScriptwritingRotimi Fawole
Photography Jide Atobatele, Ademola Olaniran
“I was completely enthralled by the artefacts and the overall experience.”
@maechi_music
“A beautiful dive into Yoruba heritage, where every artifact tells a story.”
@d.jagun
“Immersing myself in Yorùbá history at the John Randle Centre. I love being Yorùbá.”
@aishaomoniyi
“Being in this space also made me realize the strength art holds in communicating beyond what the eyes and see.”
@_justberia
“Seeing all the signs in Yoruba visited feels immersive and special.”
@adamuesther
“They said museums are boring. JK Randle Centre said, ‘Hold my artifacts.’ Loved every moment!”
@crackless_temmy
“What a nostalgic experience seeing elements which formed a chunk of my childhood! Loved the colors, history, and storytelling.”
@dayreene
“From intricate sculptures to captivating paintings, every piece reflects the soul of Yoruba culture.”
@newtonimage
“Exploring the John Randle Centre for Yoruba Culture & History.”
@kha_dee_jah____
“A deep dive into one of Africa’s most influential cultures.”
—Chidinma N.
“Seeing all the signs in Yoruba visited feels immersive and special.”
—Esther A.
“Beautiful cultural representation with visual and audio elements.”
—Inioluwa F.
“The ambiance is stunning, with a beautiful blend of art and culture.”
—Oluwatunmise
“Great fusion of the digital elements for storytelling.”
—Paul S.
“A world-class museum of Yoruba culture and heritage.”
—Yinka A.
“Living in the moment.”
@according2bettie
“Behind history, there is far more that remains untold.”
@heisbobbyblack
“This is not just history, this is royalty preserved.”
@iamkos_mos
“I went back in time to explore Yoruba history. I love how everything was written in Yoruba.”
@ini.deb
“This museum took me straight back to secondary school Yoruba history lessons.”
@its_onye
“A museum that feels like a love letter to Yoruba culture, bringing our rich history to life in the most beautiful way.”
@itunumary_
“Our stories, our roots, forever alive at the John Randle Centre for Yoruba History and Culture.”
@king_kofo
“Where history whispers and art speaks.”
@kinqstob
“A perfect blend of culture, art, and beauty.”
@moh_yeen
“Adapts traditional storytelling with modern techniques to create an immersive experience.”
@maeriemanuel
“A vibrant and vital project.”
@nicholascullinan
“Beholding this beautiful museum brings me to the fore knowledge of stories never told.”
@officialslamdee
“Our culture is so rich, and there is a lot we need to learn.”
@omotola_laditan
“The Yoruba people’s reverence for their ancestors and elders is truly inspiring.”
@orla_mee
“Everything about this place was beautifully done. The artifacts told stories of years before, but the heritage was preserved.”
@ruthnwachukwu
“Spent the day soaking up the history and culture — learned so much!”
@sam.culate
“The beauty that is John Randle Centre.”
@sheilauduehi
“Stepping into history and culture at the John Randle Centre. Every corner tells a story worth keeping.”
@sugarbomi
“Saving memories.”
@the_ajokeade
“I love everything about this museum.”
—Adebambo K.
“Such a great exhibit of Yoruban culture. It was a wonderful display of culture and history.”
—Alexis A.
“A perfect blend of art, history, and inspiration.”
—Annie B.
“I admire the Yoruba culture and history, and this place reminded me why that is. The space is just breathtaking.”
—Kennedy N.
“A beautiful and well-curated space that truly celebrates the richness of Yorùbá culture and history.”
—Peter K.
“Every corner tells a different story.”
—Rodiat A.
“I haven’t had this kind of experience in Nigeria in a very long time. It is giving pride in Yoruba culture, and the exhibits are properly lovely.”
—Shalom O.
“It’s amazing to see how a tribe preserved their culture and turned it into a sightseeing center for people to learn about their culture.”
@tedxcovenantuniversityclub
“Interesting to see well-documented facts about the history of the Yoruba people and the evolution of their culture to the modern day phenomenon that is it is.”
@alex_streetz
“Just stepped into a piece of culture and history today. Lagos heritage hits different when you see it up close.”
@thedigitalvori
“Exploring the colorful legacy of the Yoruba at John Randle Centre.”
@thee_smilingbird
“By far my favourite place to have visited and explored in Lagos.”
@valeri.beu
“Loved every second of it.”
@_dreyzel