By Peter Omopo
Renowned Nigerian photographer, Dayo Adedayo, has unveiled the DAP Experience Centre, a new cultural and creative institution aimed at preserving and promoting Nigeria’s visual history through photography.
Adedayo described the centre as a multi-dimensional facility combining a visual museum, archive, research library, and creative laboratory dedicated to documenting Nigeria and Africa’s cultural heritage. He noted that the project, conceived over two decades ago, was driven by the need to create a permanent institutional home for Nigeria’s visual memory.
According to him, the initiative follows over 30 years of documenting the country’s landscapes, people, and historical moments, resulting in an archive of more than four million images and several published works.
He explained that the centre is designed to support young photographers across Nigeria and West Africa by providing structured training, mentorship, access to rare archives, and exposure to global best practices in photography and visual storytelling.
Adedayo also highlighted the contribution of international collaborator Don Barber, whose donation of photography publications has significantly strengthened the centre’s research library, offering insights into the global evolution of the craft.
The facility integrates both traditional and modern photography techniques, preserving analogue methods such as darkroom practices while embracing emerging technologies including artificial intelligence, drone imaging, and mobile photography.
Located in Lagos, the centre is expected to boost cultural tourism and creative industry development by attracting scholars, students, researchers, and international visitors. Adedayo said the project would contribute to job creation, foster innovation, and position Lagos as a leading hub for arts and culture in Africa.
He added that the centre features immersive exhibition spaces, interactive installations, training studios, and a comprehensive archive showcasing Nigeria’s photographic history. It also includes unique attractions such as themed experience rooms, a projection theatre, and an innovation lab focused on future imaging technologies.
On funding, Adedayo disclosed that the project was financed through a combination of personal investment, private support, and strategic partnerships, while emphasising that its true value lies in its cultural and intellectual significance.
He further revealed plans to sustain the institution for the next 50 to 100 years through digital preservation systems, educational partnerships, and an endowment structure.
Adedayo expressed optimism that the DAP Experience Centre would serve as a transformative space for learning, creativity, and cultural preservation, adding that the initiative marks the beginning of broader expansion plans across Nigeria.
