Opinions

Benin Art: Power Cast in Bronze and Ivory

By Ojogho Chidiebere (Mrs) NCMM, Abuja October 27, 2025 Introduction The ancient Benin Kingdom, located in present-day Edo State, Nigeria, was one of Africa’s most sophisticated precolonial states. At its heart stood the Oba—a divine king whose authority was both political and spiritual. More Than Decoration: The Significance of Benin Art Benin’s art, particularly the…
Woven Identities: The Cultural Power of Nigerian Textiles

By Ojogho Chidiebere (Mrs) NCMM, Abuja October 27, 2025 Introduction Across Nigeria, fabrics are far more than materials to cover the body. They are visual languages, woven histories, and powerful tools of identity. From the indigo-dyed Adire of the Yoruba, to the intricately handwoven Akwete of the Igbo, the regal Aso-Oke of the southwest, and…
The Ibeku Egwu Asaa New Yam Festival (Iriji)

By Ihuoma Jennifer Metuaghan NCMM, Abuja October 27, 2025 Introduction The new yam festival marks the end of the farming calendar which is followed up by a bumper harvest which is celebrated in style and fashion by the Ibeku Egwu Asaa people. The Origin and Commencement (Iwa Ji) In Ibeku land the new yam festival…
Museums, Monuments, And Sites As A Window For Cultural Sustainability And Non-Oil Revenue Generation: A Case Study Of Calabar Museums And The Ikom Monoliths

By Ihuoma Jennifer Metuaghan NCMM, Abuja October 27, 2025 Abstract Nigeria’s overdependence on oil revenues has created a pressing need for diversification into sustainable non-oil sectors. Cultural heritage, preserved through museums, monuments, and historical sites, represents a viable avenue for both cultural sustainability and revenue generation. This paper examines the potential of Calabar Museums (notably…
Sustainable Tourism: Safeguarding The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove

By Raji Lilian Tolulope NCMM, Osogbo October 27, 2025 Introduction The Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove, nestled on the banks of the Osun River in Osogbo, Osun State, is one of Nigeria’s most revered cultural treasures. The Osun Ososgbo covers 75 hectares of land as its core zone and its buffer zone is about 47 hectares of…
Museums and Mental Health: The Impact of Cultural Engagement on Well-being

By Halima. Abdullahi NCMM Abuja February 12, 2024 Introduction Museums have increasingly been recognized as more than repositories of cultural artifacts; they are becoming therapeutic spaces contributing to public well-being. This paper explores the intersection between museums and mental health, focusing on how cultural engagement within museum settings positively impacts psychological and emotional wellness. Using…
The Museum As A Tool For Youth Development

Oshoke Rex Success NCMM Abuja July 21, 2023 Introduction: Museums are complex and multifaceted institutions, defying simple categorization. Far from being limited to specific domains like art or science, they serve a broader societal purpose. According to the International Council of Museums (ICOM), a museum is defined as “a permanent non-profit institution in the service…
Abuja: A Planned Capital City Without a National Museum

Abayomi Oshadami NCMM Abuja March 10, 2025 1. Introduction: The Vision Behind Nigeria’s New Capital Nigeria’s decision to move its capital from Lagos to Abuja was rooted in a desire to escape the chaos of an overpopulated and inadequately planned urban center. In August 1975, General Murtala Muhammed inaugurated a committee led by Justice T.A.…
Not About Religion: Misplaced Beliefs And Undermined National Museum’s Future

Yinka Olajubu May 6, 2025 In many parts of the world, museums are revered as sacred spaces, not in the sense of religious sanctuaries, but as sanctuaries of memory, knowledge, and identity. They function as vital custodians of humanity’s collective experience, preserving artifacts, stories, and expressions that chart the rise and evolution of civilizations. These…
Technology and Innovation in Museums: Digital Transformation of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) Nigeria – Opportunities and Challenges in 2025 Forward

By Halima. Abdullahi NCMM Abuja July 9, 2024 Abstract The digital revolution has transformed the global museum landscape, offering new methods of preserving, interpreting, and disseminating cultural heritage. In Nigeria, the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) stands at a critical juncture, where the adoption of digital technologies presents vast opportunities and inherent challenges.…