Creative Industry

Nigeria Unveils Digital Museum to Safeguard Cultural Heritage

Published

1 year ago

August 15, 2025

Joel Ajayi

The Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, has launched the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) Digital Museum, a first-of-its-kind innovation that reimagines how Nigeria engages with its rich cultural heritage.

This landmark achievement of one of the sister agencies under the Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy marks a new era in cultural preservation, promotion, and accessibility, positioning Nigeria as a leader in digital heritage management.

At the official launch, Minister Musawa stated that the digital museum was the first to display real-life Nigerian Antiquities.

“Today, we stand at the threshold of a new era for Nigeria’s cultural heritage. This event is not merely a celebration of technological achievement; it is a testament to our nation’s enduring commitment to preserving, promoting, and sharing the richness of our history and creativity with the world. This innovative project ensures that our stories, traditions, and creative expressions are preserved not only for today, but for generations yet unborn.”

Musawa also enumerated the ministry’s challenges in the preservation of museums and monuments in the country.

“Over the decades, these institutions have evolved, curating invaluable artefacts, conserving traditions, and educating generations about our diverse past.

However, these custodian institutions have faced significant challenges over their years of existence, including inadequate funding, infrastructure gaps, insecurity, and more, but just like our great nation and its culture, they have stood the test of time”, Musawa said.

The NCMM Digital Museum is a comprehensive national effort to create a unified, interactive digital repository of Nigeria’s diverse heritage, spanning centuries, cultures, and communities.

This innovative platform offers interactive exhibitions, multimedia storytelling, and virtual tours, enabling users to explore Nigeria’s cultural treasures from anywhere in the world.

“We invite every Nigerian and our friends from around the world to explore, engage, and celebrate our cultural legacy,” the Minister added.

The NCMM Digital Museum is set to contribute to a global dialogue on the future of museums and the preservation of world heritage, joining esteemed companies like the Louvre, Smithsonian Institution, and British Museum.

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Creative Industry

CAFA Targets $500bn Fashion Economy At Canex Wknd 2026

Published

2 weeks ago

November 1, 2026

The Gleamer

Joel Ajayi

The Confederation of African Fashion (CAFA) will present its roadmap to grow Africa’s fashion economy from an estimated $30 billion to $500 billion at CANEX WKND 2026 in Lagos.

Marking its first anniversary on November 5, CAFA will unveil a joint stand with the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy at the Wole Soyinka Centre for Culture and the Creative Arts, formerly the National Arts Theatre, on November 5, 2026.

CAFA President, Aare (Prof.) Lai Labode, said the institution works with African governments to align sourcing, production, trade and intellectual property policies, ensuring African creativity generates greater value for African businesses and communities.

Nigeria became the first country to sign the African Fashion Industry Growth Charter on November 5, 2025, when the Honourable Minister Barr. Hannatu Musa Musawa signed on behalf of the Federal Government.

Speaking ahead of the unveiling, Minister Musawa said: “Afroliganza seeks to build a structured, values-driven fashion economy rooted in African heritage, led by African institutions, and positioned for global impact.”

On employment potential, the minister emphasized that Investment in fashion will create millions of jobs, particularly for women and youth.

Registered in Rwanda, with an office in Kigali and a desk at the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, CAFA is also working with Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs towards African Union adoption of the Charter. Rwanda is progressing towards becoming its second participating country and the first in East Africa.

Its first year saw fifty nations gather at the Egbaliganza-Lisabi Festival in Abeokuta and a signed MoU with Türkiye’s ASRIAD.

CAFA’s programmes promote processing African raw materials into finished apparel locally. ‘Own What We Create’ addresses intellectual property protection, while the CAFA Certified Seal and CAFA Heritage Mark support standards and authenticity. African Global Fashion Houses are currently being established across international markets.

The African Global Fashion Games will debut in Nigeria in 2028, bringing designers together under national colours. Held every three years, the Games will alternate between African and international hosts, combining competition with investor meetings, deal signings and policy discussions. Its Instant Craft event gives competing nations identical materials and a fixed clock, placing skill at the centre of the contest.

CAFA is inviting creatives, fashion designers, artisans, diplomats, economists, investors and policymakers to its CANEX stand. Visitors can explore the roadmap, ask questions and identify opportunities to contribute through design, manufacturing, investment, research, trade and international partnerships. The stand will be open daily from November 5 to 8.

CAFA calls on the African Union to adopt the Charter, and governments to sign the Games Register and form national teams.

“Fashion has always told the world who Africa is. Now Africa will decide what fashion pays,” Aare Prof. Lai Labode said.

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