President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s government has revealed plans to reconstruct and upgrade six national museums nationwide.
The development was confirmed in a statement on Friday through the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, which revealed that the project includes the National Museums located at Ilorin, Birnin Kebbi, Uyo, and Owerri. Others are the Gidan Makama Museum in Kebbi land and the Zazzau Emirate Museum in Kaduna State.
Nneka Ikem, a Special Assistant on media affairs to Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, stressed that the exercise seeks to protect and cherish the cultural assets of Nigeria.
The program, executed in conjunction with the National Museums and the Monuments Commission, hopes to safeguard the wealth of Nigerian culture and make the historical artifacts of the nation visible for all to see.
The statement noted that the refurbishment program which is set to launch in October of the year 2024, will also include infrastructure expansion, increased safety measures and other alterations of the display galleries.
Using new technologies and green methods, the program aims to provide educational and entertaining spaces that pay tribute to the many facets of Nigerian culture.
Musawa said the project underscores the ministry’s commitment to preserving Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and enhancing public access to the nation’s historical treasures.
“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,” the statement added.
The initiative will involve collaboration with local artisans, historians, and curators to guarantee that the renovated monuments reflect cultural significance and historical authenticity.
This effort is anticipated to generate various employment opportunities in the cultural sector, thereby bolstering local economies and promoting a broader national appreciation for the arts.
In his comments, the Director General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Olugbile Holloway, emphasized that the renovation aims to enhance the narrative capabilities of our museums and monuments.
Holloway said, “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 only to 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.”