A university-wide entrepreneurship engagement programme and a first-of-its-kind national art commission of ₦10m combine to empower Nigeria’s next generation of innovators.
The Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art (YSMA) at Pan-Atlantic University and Ventures Platform (VP), one of Africa’s leading early-stage venture capital firms, proudly announce a bold three-year partnership that brings together art, innovation, and entrepreneurship to inspire and shape the next generation of Nigerian thinkers, makers, and builders.
Launched as part of Ventures Platform’s 10th anniversary, the initiative combines two complementary pillars, both unfolding over three years from 2026: a structured student engagement platform designed to deepen entrepreneurial development within the Pan-Atlantic University ecosystem, and a futures-focused public art commissioning programme called the Ventures Platform–YSMA Futures Art Award.
Powering the Next Generation of Entrepreneurs
At the heart of the collaboration is a student engagement component embedded within the University’s educational curriculum. Through a series of guest lectures, masterclasses, and practical sessions, Ventures Platform will provide students with direct access to experienced investors and operators, including members of the Ventures Platform team. These engagements are designed to move beyond theory—offering practical insights into building scalable, high-growth ventures and navigating real-world entrepreneurial challenges.
Facilitated by YSMA as a bridge within the University, this component aligns with Pan-Atlantic University’s commitment to experiential learning, extending the Museum’s track record of supporting academic programmes through Object-Based Learning and interdisciplinary engagement.
The Futures Art Award: Public Art as a Platform for Innovation
Complementing the educational component is the Ventures Platform–YSMA Futures Art Award, a pioneering annual commission supporting the creation of public-facing sculptures. The award invites artists to imagine and explore ideas around innovation, the future, and public engagement through large-scale work.
Each year, an artist will be selected and funded with the sum of ₦10m to develop a permanent outdoor work within the YSMA sculpture garden and campus environment. More than an award, this initiative reinforces the role of creativity and cultural imagination in shaping entrepreneurial ambition — symbolizing curiosity, bold thinking, and the courage to build.
Together, these two components reflect a shared belief that innovation thrives where creativity, enterprise, and culture intersect. For Ventures Platform, this is consistent with a long-standing approach to backing not just companies, but the systems, talent, and environments that enable innovation to thrive. Partnering with YSMA, a premier university museum in the country, brings this belief to life by combining artistic experimentation with entrepreneurial exposure in a way that invites artists and students alike to imagine, build, and engage with the future.
Kola Aina, Founder and General Partner, Ventures Platform highlighted the significance of the collaboration saying:
“At Ventures Platform, we see every day how innovative thinking can expand access and solve hard problems — but we also recognize that progress is driven as much by imagination as it is by execution. As we mark our 10th anniversary, this initiative reflects our commitment to intentionally designing environments where the next generation of founders can emerge — equipped with clarity, capability, and conviction to build for the future.”
Noting the importance for this collaboration, Jess Castellote, the Museum Director said:
“This collaboration reflects our belief that museums are not just spaces for preserving the past, but platforms for shaping the future through public engagement. The Futures Art Award empowers artists to experiment at a scale that reaches the public, while the educational component strengthens YSMA’s commitment to the experiential learning vision of the university. By bringing together art and entrepreneurship, we are creating new ways for both artists, students and our visitors to engage with the systems and ideas that will define our world.”
Enase Okonedo, the Vice Chancellor of Pan-Atlantic University commended the educational component of the partnership:
“This initiative speaks directly to the Pan-Atlantic University’s commitment to experiential learning and interdisciplinary education. It creates a meaningful pathway for our students to engage with industry leaders while also exposing them to the critical and creative thinking that drives innovation. It also enhances our standing as a world-class institution committed to producing well-rounded graduates, equipped with both creative and entrepreneurial capacity.”
Artists and students are invited to engage with the initiatives directly. Details for the Futures Art Award call for entry are as follows:
Call for Entry – Futures Art Award
Applications Open: April 2, 2026
Applications Close: May 18, 2026 (6‑week window)
Who Can Apply: Nigerian & Non-Nigerian artists based in Nigeria, working across sculpture and installation.
Focus: Experiential, participatory, and technology‑informed public sculptures engineered for long‑term outdoor display with harsh weather‑resistant materials.
How to Apply: Visit museum.pau.edu.ng/articles/call-for-applications-the-ventures-platform-ysma-futures-art-award for eligibility, guidelines, and submissions.
