The Federal Government on Friday announced plans to revitalise six of the country’s national museums.

A statement by Nneka Ikem, Special Assistant on media to the Minister of Art, Culture and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, said the process aims to preserve Nigeria’s cultural heritage.

“The Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy has launched a groundbreaking initiative to refurbish and revitalise six national museums across the country.

“They include the National Museums in Ilorin, Birnin Kebbi, Uyo and Owerri. Others are Gidan Makama Museum in Kano State and Zazzau Emirate Museum in Kaduna State.

“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 statement noted that the refurbishment programme, “set to begin in October 2024, will focus on infrastructure upgrades, enhanced security systems, and improved exhibit spaces.”

By incorporating modern technologies and sustainable practices, the initiative seeks to create interactive and educational environments that celebrate Nigeria’s diverse cultural legacy.

Musawa said 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.

“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 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.

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.

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 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.”

PUNCH