International Museum Day: Stakeholders Advocate Preservation of Nigeria’s Cultural Heritage
By Seyi Oduneye-Ogunwomoju
The Oyo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Dr Wasiu Olatunbosun, has appealed to the Federal Government to provide adequate funding for the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) to ensure the preservation of Nigeria’s history and cultural heritage.
Olatunbosun made the appeal on Thursday during the 2026 International Museum Day celebration organised by the National Museum of Unity, Ibadan.
The theme of this year’s celebration is “Museums: Uniting a Divided World.”
International Museum Day is observed annually on May 18 to highlight the role of museums in cultural preservation, education and societal development.
The commissioner also commended the Curator of the National Museum of Unity, Ibadan, Mrs Pamela Otuka, for the remarkable transformation taking place at the museum.
In his message to the event, the Director-General of the NCMM, Mr Olugbile Holloway, said that movable and immovable artefacts, archival documents and other historical materials play vital roles in promoting shared humanity and preserving collective memory.
Holloway, who was represented by Otuka, said the theme underscores the role of museums in fostering societal development and uniting communities across the world in the pursuit of peace.
“As we all know, the National Commission for Museums and Monuments in Nigeria has consistently fulfilled this role over time.
“The museum world, guided by the International Council of Museums (ICOM), has always been sensitive to global developments and has shaped its annual themes accordingly.
“Continuing this tradition, ICOM has focused on the disruptions in human relationships caused by crises, conflicts, wars and other troubling developments that threaten the progress humanity has made in recent times.
“While various groups continue to address these challenges with varying degrees of success, ICOM’s goal for 2026 is to redirect museum efforts toward leveraging resources through activities, events and dialogue that promote peace and understanding among individuals and communities,” he said.
The NCMM boss called on individuals, government agencies, non-governmental organisations and the private sector to partner with the commission in harnessing the vast resources available in museums nationwide and within the creative industry to promote peace and cultural understanding.
“The National Commission for Museums and Monuments, which is responsible for establishing public museums and facilitating private museums, has continued to introduce innovations aimed at enhancing visitors’ experiences.
“We have launched the country’s first digital museum and upgraded our Lagos exhibition facilities to meet international standards.
“These efforts reflect the vision of the current management, with plans underway to elevate selected museums across the country to similar standards.
“It is important to remember that museums, regardless of their location, belong to the public and should be supported and protected,” Holloway added.
Also speaking at the event, renowned artist and culture promoter, Prince Tunde Odunlade, stressed the need to preserve Nigeria’s history and cultural heritage.
“We must preserve our history with all the resources at our disposal. Greater efforts are needed to safeguard our heritage for future generations.
“This museum is very important. We have only four National Museums of Unity in Nigeria — located in Ibadan, Enugu, Maiduguri and Sokoto.
“Every ethnic group in Nigeria has a part of its identity represented in these museums. They serve as important centres for education and the preservation of our history.
“A society without art is like an asylum,” he said.