Minister revamps national museums across Nigeria

The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy has announced a significant initiative aimed at renovating and rejuvenating six national museums located across the country. These museums encompass the National Museums in Ilorin, Birnin Kebbi, Uyo, and Owerri, as well as the Gidan Makama Museum in Kano State and the Zazzau Emirate Museum in Kaduna State.

The refurbishment programme, set to begin in October 2024, will focus on infrastructure upgrades, incorporating state-of-the-art technologies, enhanced security systems, and improved exhibit spaces.

The project, done in collaboration with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, aims to preserve Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and make its historical treasures more accessible to the public.

The project will engage local artisans, historians, and curators to ensure the upgraded monuments are culturally represented and historically accurate. The initiative is expected to create numerous job opportunities within the cultural sector, supporting local economies and fostering nationwide appreciation for the arts.

The Minister, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, made this known in New York on Thursday. She emphasised that the project underscores the Ministry’s commitment to preserving Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and enhancing public access to the nation’s historical treasures.

The minister stated: “Our museums are custodians of Nigeria’s culture and history. This refurbishment project will not only preserve our heritage for future generations but also promote
cultural tourism and education in Nigeria. We are committed to making our museums more accessible, engaging, and reflective of our rich artistic tradition in line with His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and our Ministry’s 8-Point Plan.”

In his remarks, the Director General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Olugbile Holloway, said that the renovation was to enable better storytelling of our museums and monuments.

“The renovation of our museums is a long overdue exercise and the NCMM appreciates the Ministry’s strong support for this initiative. The NCMM intends not to only focus on infrastructure upgrades, but also on better curation and better storytelling in our museums. The guest and user experience will also be revamped, and we hope that when people step into the new spaces, they are moved by what they see and they leave with much more knowledge about our rich cultural heritage.”