Creative Industry
Nigeria and Switzerland Take First Steps Toward Artifact Repatriation and Cultural Cooperation
By Joel Ajayi
The Nigerian Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and Creative Economy has initiated discussions with the Swiss government on the repatriation of Nigerian artifacts currently held in Swiss museums, including significant monoliths and bronze works. The talks also aim to establish broader cultural cooperation between the two nations.
During a courtesy visit to the Honourable Minister, Hannatu Musa Musawa Esq., in Abuja on Friday, the Swiss Ambassador to Nigeria, H.E. Patrick Felix Egloff, expressed Switzerland’s readiness to engage in bilateral agreements focused on cultural diplomacy and restitution.
“This is the first time a Swiss Ambassador is meeting with a Nigerian Minister of Art and Culture. We are very interested in developing institutional cooperation with the Ministry, and we believe the restitution of these artifacts presents a strong opportunity to strengthen our partnership,” Ambassador Egloff stated.
According to the Ambassador, the process of returning the artifacts began three years ago. He noted that Switzerland intends to return several bronze pieces through the Nigerian Embassy before the end of the year.
In her response, Minister Musawa expressed appreciation for the Swiss government’s efforts and highlighted the significance of reclaiming cultural artifacts as part of preserving Nigeria’s heritage.
“This meeting marks an important milestone in deepening our cultural ties,” she said. “It is crucial for Nigeria to recover these valuable artifacts, and we look forward to broader discussions on what the restitution process will look like.”
The Minister also emphasized the importance of exploring new avenues of cooperation in areas such as animation, design, architecture, hospitality, and tourism.
“We’re excited about the potential for collaboration beyond artifact repatriation,” she added. “Engaging with the Swiss Minister of Culture will be key as we explore joint initiatives across creative and cultural sectors.”
Both parties agreed to continue their dialogue and explore long-term opportunities for collaboration in arts and culture. The meeting builds on existing diplomatic efforts and reflects the shared commitment of both nations to enhancing cultural relations.
Creative Industry
Musawa Highlights Art and Culture as Drivers of Public Sector Excellence at Legislative Mentorship Session
Joel Ajayi
The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, Esq., has emphasized the importance of integrating art and culture into public-sector excellence in Nigeria.
In a statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by the SA Media & Publicity, Office of the Honourable Minister, Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy Nneka Ikem Anibeze, Phd.
Musawa made this known while addressing trainees at the 4th Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI), held at the National Institute For Legislative and Democratic Studies, Abuja on Thursday.
Themed ‘Building the next generation of Public Sector Leaders’, Minister Musawa highlighted art and culture as essential tools for national cohesion and identity, economic development and job creation, innovation and civic engagement, sustainable development, and projecting Nigeria’s soft power and global identity.
She noted that Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage is a unifying force that binds different ethnicities and elaborated on how Art and Culture is key to public-sector excellence in Nigeria.
“First, embracing and promoting art and culture helps to forge national cohesion and shared identity among Nigeria’s diverse populations. Integrating culture into public policy and governance transforms the creative and cultural sectors into engines of economic development, job creation and diversification. Cultural industries including crafts, music, film, design, heritage tourism can generate livelihoods, attract investment, expand exports, and reduce overreliance on a narrow set of economic activities.
“A society that values creativity and cultural expression tends to produce more resourceful citizens, fosters cross-cultural dialogue, and encourages public servants to be more adaptive, empathetic, and culturally aware while prioritizing culture and creative economy in public policy through frameworks, institutions, and infrastructure, demonstrates long-term vision and commitment to sustainable development,” Musawa said.
The Minister called for supportive policies, enabling legislation, and sustained commitment to fulfill this vision, including laws that protect intellectual property, incentivize investment in creative infrastructure, and integrate arts and culture into education and community development.
“Embedding art and culture at the heart of governance and public-sector planning is not a luxury, it is a necessity. It builds unity, drives economic growth, fosters innovation, strengthens institutions, and ensures that development respects and reflects the soul of the nation,” she emphasized.
Musawa thanked the founder of the Legislative Mentorship Initiative (LMI), Rt. Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, Chief of Staff to the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his inspiring vision and unwavering commitment to cultivating Nigeria’s future public-service leaders.
Other speakers at the Legislative Mentorship Initiative include the Director General, Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization Aisha Augie, Nigerian photo-journalist and documentary photographer Bayo Omoboriowo, Amb. Dapo Oyewole, Secretary-General Conference of Speakers and Presidents of African Legislatures amongst others.
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