Didi Museum is a Nigerian private museum established in 1983. It is recognized as the first privately owned museum in Nigeria.
History
Didi Museum was founded by Dr. Newton Jibunoh in memory of his younger sister, Edith Jibunoh, who died at the age of 13. The name "Didi" originated from Dr. Jibunoh's mispronunciation of his sister's name. The museum was officially inaugurated on May 11, 1983, within Dr. Jibunoh's private residence on Akin Adesola Street, Victoria Island, Lagos. The opening ceremony was presided over by His Royal Highness, Alhaji
Ado Bayero
Ado Bayero CFR, LLD, JP (25 July 1930 – 6 June 2014) was the Emir of Kano from 1963 to 2014. Early life
Lineage
Ado Bayero was born on 25 July 1930 into the royal family of the Fulani Sullubawa clan that has ruled over the Emirate of ...
, the Emir of Kano, who also served as the museum's first Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
The inaugural exhibition featured works by artists
Kenny Adamson and Adamu Ajunam, attracting over 1,200 visitors during its five-day run.
In celebration of its 40th anniversary in 2023, Didi Museum announced the establishment of a new facility in Delta State, the founder's home state. The new headquarters is located within the Nelson Mandela Gardens & Resorts at the
Asaba International Airport.
Exhibitions
Didi Museum has exhibited the works of several artists including
Ayoola Gbolahan,
Lemi Ghariokw,
Ebele Okoye,
Isaac Emokpae,
Ayodeji Awoyomi,
Olawunmi Banjo
Olawunmi Banjo (born 31 July 1985) is a Nigerian artist. She currently lives and works in Lagos, Nigeria.
Life
She was born in Ogun
Ogun or Ogoun ( Yoruba: Ògún, Edo: Ògún, Portuguese: Ogum, Gu; also spelled Oggun or Ogou; known as Ogà ...
,
Chike Aniakor
Chike C. Aniakor (born 21 August 1939) is a Nigerian artist, art historian, author, and poet whose work addresses philosophical, political, and religious themes relating to Igbo people, Igbo society and the Nigerian Civil War. His artworks are held ...
,
Victor Ehikhamenor,
Chinwe Chukwuogo-Roy,
Olu Amoda,
Kelechi Amadi-Obi and others.
References
{{coord missing, Nigeria
Museums in Nigeria