São Paulo, August 28, 2025 – The Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Olayemi Michael “Yemi” Cardozo , has reconnected with his Afro-Brazilian roots through a symbolic cultural gesture in São Paulo. Cardozo donated his latest book, Whispers of Afro-Brazilian Heritage, to the Afro-Brazilian Museum, the largest institution of its kind in Brazil.
The book documents the history and legacy of Afro-Brazilian returnee families in Lagos, Nigeria, highlighting the influence of Brazilian architecture, cuisine, and traditions that remain present in the Popo Aguda district. Iconic sites such as the Cathedral and the historic Da-Rocha House are featured as examples of Brazilian-inspired designs in Lagos.
Cardozo , himself a descendant of a returnee family, was warmly received by the museum’s director, Flávia Martins, who described the donation as a meaningful contribution to strengthening ties between Brazil and Nigeria. He was accompanied by Professor Tayo Ajayi, linguist and Director of the Center for Afro-Brazilian Studies at Lagos State University (LASU).
The Afro-Brazilian Museum (Museu Afro Brasil), located in São Paulo’s Ibirapuera Park, is one of the most important cultural institutions in Latin America dedicated to African heritage and its influence in Brazil. Housing over 6,000 works and historical artifacts, the museum’s collections span religious objects, traditional clothing, sculptures, paintings, and documents that trace the contributions of Africans and their descendants to Brazilian society.
It is not only a center of memory and preservation but also a space for dialogue on identity, diaspora, and resistance. For Nigeria, where Afro-Brazilian returnees left a lasting imprint, Cardoso’s donation connects two chapters of a shared history across the Atlantic.
Speaking on the occasion, Cardozo said the donation reflected his pride in his Afro-Brazilian ancestry and his hope to see stronger cultural bridges between both nations. “This heritage belongs not only to Brazil or Nigeria but to all descendants of the diaspora,” he added.
