𝐌𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐥 𝐀𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐬, 𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝟏𝟑-𝐘𝐞𝐚𝐫-𝐎𝐥𝐝 𝐀𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝-𝐰𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐂𝐮𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐇𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐧, 𝐏𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐲’𝐬 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚 𝐍𝐞𝐰 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

By Peter Dansu  At an age when many children are still discovering their interests, Awwal Abass is already carving a name for himself in Nig...

By Peter Dansu 

At an age when many children are still discovering their interests, Awwal Abass is already carving a name for himself in Nigeria’s tourism and heritage space. The 13-year-old curator of the Seriki Williams Abass Slave Relics Museum in Badagry, Lagos State, has emerged as one of the youngest voices preserving the rich and painful history of the transatlantic slave trade.

Recently, , Awwal was honoured with the Rising Tourism Icon of the Year 2025 award by the Association of Tourism Practitioners of Nigeria, South West Region. The award was presented by a delegation led by the National Vice President of the association, Hon. Samson Nunayon Prince Apata, in recognition of the young curator’s exceptional dedication and knowledge.

Awwal, who was nominated during the South West International Tourism Expo 2025, stood out among many contenders and emerged winner, a feat that speaks volumes about his passion and commitment. Despite his young age, he has developed an impressive ability to narrate the history of slavery in Badagry with clarity, depth and confidence. Visitors to the Seriki Williams Abass Slave Relics Museum often marvel at how vividly he recounts the role of William Abass and the historical events that shaped the area for centuries.

His storytelling goes beyond memorised facts. Awwal brings history to life, helping visitors understand the significance of Badagry in the transatlantic slave trade and why the stories must never be forgotten. His calm delivery, strong grasp of historical details and genuine love for heritage have made him a standout figure among tour guides in Lagos State.

The recognition from ATPN is not just an award but a strong encouragement for the young curator to remain focused and committed to his path. Many believe this honour will further inspire him to grow, learn and continue serving as a proud ambassador of Badagry’s history and culture.

Awwal Abass represents hope for the future of tourism in Nigeria. His journey shows that age is no barrier to excellence and that with passion, discipline and guidance, young people can play vital roles in preserving the nation’s heritage for generations to come.