CRIMMD Museum of History finds new home in 13-room facility in Lagos

CRIMMD Museum of Nigerian History is the pioneer private history museum in Nigeria. The museum hosts interesting historical facts and artefact which include pictures, postage stamps, glass beverage bottles, Nigeria currencies, Nigeria Civil War Museum artefacts, Natural History, Music Museum, Political History Museum, Railway History museum, Everyday Objects and a very rich archive of old magazines and newspapers dating back to 1920s and a library with over 40,000 books, journals and pamphlets.

“CRIMMD’s collection showcases Nigeria’s rich history, from traditional artefacts to contemporary art pieces and memorable home devices and gadgets. The museum’s exhibits highlight the country’s diverse cultural tapestry, featuring works by renowned Nigerian artists and artefacts that evoke fond childhood memories.”

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LAST Thursday, December 18th was the grand opening of the Centre for Research, Information and Media Development (CRIMMD), which was formerly located at Idimu, but now relocated to a new and larger facility at 3 Lekan Ogunyemi Street, Ajao Estate (international airport neighbourhood), Lagos State.

According to the founder, Director General of CRIMMD and the multi-award-winning archivist with over 300 trophies, Dr James Raphael, the facility is a 13-room building that houses different segments of the museum. He said compared to the previous facility, the new space is much bigger, and there are now different segments, or better still, different museums in one Museum, for Nigerian history.

“The whole idea is to document Nigerian history as it comes,” Dr. Raphael said. “The truth is, this new location can be described as a 10-in-one museum, in which each room is representing a section of a museum somewhere else. So what you see in a room is a whole museum in another area. CRIMMD is a history museum, not restricted to a particular set of artefacts; it is a collection of everyday objects used over the years, decades and centuries, everything that can tell the Nigerian story.”

While commissioning the facility, Programme Manager of United Nations Habitat in Nigeria, Prof. Johnson Bade Falade, who also chaired the occasion, expressed joy as he acknowledged efforts being made to preserve history. He restated the support of a partnership between the German Embassy in Nigeria and CRIMMD. Prof. Falade commended Dr. Raphael for his vision and commitment to preserving Nigerian history.

“This event is not merely the unveiling of a building or a collection,” Prof. Falade said, “it is the affirmation of memory, identity and shared human creativity. I wish to sincerely acknowledge the support of the German Embassy in Nigeria, as well as the sustained interest of German scholars and cultural institutions in the recovery, study, and preservation of Nigerian traditional and modern arts. This partnership speaks eloquently to the power of culture to transcend borders, heal historical ruptures, and build intellectual solidarity across continents.

“I also pay special tribute to Dr. Raphael James, whose outstanding contributions to Nigerian arts and the literary genre deserve commendation. Dr. James has consistently demonstrated that art is not merely aesthetic, but intellectual, ethical, and transformative. Through his scholarship, curation, and creative engagement, he has helped to bridge tradition and modernity, ensuring that Nigerian artistic expressions continue to speak powerfully to both local and global audiences.

“This museum, therefore, is not only a cultural space; it is a meeting point of generations, a dialogue between Nigeria and the world, and a testimony to what visionary individuals and partnerships can achieve. Its location in the mainland is also significant—bringing art/history closer to the people, democratizing access to culture, and reaffirming that heritage belongs not to elites alone, but to the community.”

CRIMMD Museum of Nigerian History is the pioneer private history museum in Nigeria. The museum hosts interesting historical facts and artefact which include pictures, postage stamps, glass beverage bottles, Nigeria currencies, Nigeria Civil War Museum artefacts, Natural History, Music Museum, Political History Museum, Railway History museum, Everyday Objects and a very rich archive of old magazines and newspapers dating back to 1920s and a library with over 40,000 books, journals and pamphlets.

Dignitaries who attended the opening expressed delight at the new home for CRIMMD, saying it offers better space for the historical objects on display.

The Director of Goethe Institut Nigeria, Dr. Nadine Siegert, commended the works of CRIMMD museum and noted that the museum, unlike others in Nigeria, is a transition museum hosting everyday items used over the years, noting that it is a better way of preserving history. She went on to state that as a young child, she had created a section in her room, with permission from her parents, where she kept old items and called it her museum. It was such a great delight for her to see that CRIMMD was doing a similar thing but in a very large and international scale. She promised the continued support of Goethe Institut and gave special thanks to Ford Foundation, which provided the funds for the movement of CRIMMD from its Idimu office to Ajao Estate.”

Also, culture communicator and Programme Chair of Committee for Relevant Art (CORA), Jahman Anikulapo, said, “The new CRIMMD space is more befitting for the essence of the project. The materials housed by the museum have better breathing space in the 13-room facility. This allows guests and patrons to have a better sense of the museum’s vast collection and a good feel of its rare archival service to the community and the country. Even with its size, however, the space is still not enough to fully service the museum’s need, but it is a good starting.

“CRIMMD deserves a bigger space and perhaps, in a more centralised location, for easy accessibility by patrons. One hopes the relevant institutions of State (national and sub-national) will take note and offer the needed support for this important legacy educational project.”

Lead Consultant at The Etiquette Place, Lady Yvonne Ebbi, described the project as a “celebration of Nigerian heritage,” adding, “The grand launching of CRIMMD, a private museum nestled in Ajao Estate, was a vibrant celebration of Nigerian art, culture and history. The event brought together art enthusiasts, cultural aficionados and community members to experience a treasure trove of Nigerian heritage.”

She added that it felt like a walk through time and culture, “CRIMMD’s collection showcases Nigeria’s rich history, from traditional artefacts to contemporary art pieces and memorable home devices and gadgets. The museum’s exhibits highlight the country’s diverse cultural tapestry, featuring works by renowned Nigerian artists and artefacts that evoke fond childhood memories.”

Ebbi marvelled at the artefacts on disaplay such as old TVs, old telephone sets, old typewriters, old kitchen stoves, literature books, old fizzy drink bottles, old Naira notes and Kobo.

For her, the highlights of the museum launch included “a stunning display of Nigerian art, blending traditional and modern pieces” as part of the art exhibits, “interactive sessions engaging on Nigerian history, art and culture, a nostalgia corner on a special section (grandma’s kitchen), evoking fond childhood memories and stories and a hub for cultural preservation and celebration.”

She concluded by say that “CRIMMD promises to be a delightful destination for experiencing and celebrating Nigerian art, culture and history. The museum’s launch marked the beginning of a beautiful journey in preserving and promoting Nigeria’s rich heritage.”

Witnessing the historic event were dignitaries that cut across different social strata that included the Director of Goethe Institut Nigeria – Dr. Nadine Siegert, Director and Founding Curator of Natural History Museum, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Prof. Adisa Ogunfolakan, Nigerian activist, Joe Okei-Odumakin, Chancellor of African American University, Prof. Ben Ezeohagwu, cultural archivist, Mr. Jahman Anikulapo, Managing Director of CSS Bookshop, Mr. Dare Oluwatuyi, brand stategist, Mr. Kenneth Ebbi, President of Legacy 1995, Mr. Taiye Olaniyi, International Museum Consultant, Dr. Matthew Gonzalo, executive members of Ohanaeze Ndi Igbo, Egbe-Idimu led by its President, Chief Timbest Onodu Ugo and a member, High Chief Onwugbaraku Ignatius Ekwemadu, CEO of Buzzing Bees Thrills and Tours, Arinfe Oluwa, amongst many other dignitaries.

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