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

NTDA, LEXLUC Sign MoU to Unlock Nigeria’s Domestic Tourism Potential

Published

11 hours ago

October 23, 2026

The Gleamer

Cyril Ogar

The Nigerian Tourism Development Authority (NTDA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with LEXLUC Global Services and Tours Ltd. to promote domestic tourism, cultural heritage and destination awareness across Nigeria.

The agreement establishes a framework for implementing and expanding the Meet My Town, Know My State tourism initiative, which aims to encourage Nigerians to explore destinations within the country, learn about their cultural heritage and support greater community participation in tourism.

Speaking at the signing, Chief Executive Officer of LEXLUC Global Services and Tours Ltd., Mr Oluwole Ajayi, said the initiative was developed to help Nigeria harness its tourism potential, attract investment and create more opportunities within the sector.

“Tourism is number one employer worldwide. Whether we like it or not, we have to key into it and make sure it becomes the number one employer in Nigeria, too,” Ajayi said.

He also referenced plans for a proposed West African Jollof Rice Championship and Tourism Festival, which he said could complement the initiative’s broader objectives. The proposed event is expected to form part of future tourism activities, subject to the necessary planning and approvals.

Ajayi expressed confidence that the collaboration with NTDA would help advance the initiative and attract investors to Nigeria’s tourism industry.

Director-General of NTDA, Mr Ola Awakan, said the partnership alignes with the authority’s mandate to promote and develop tourism, noting that collaboration with the private sector was important to the sector’s growth.

“It’s a laudable project. We are going to give you national and institutional backing. You are also helping us achieve our mandate, and we are helping you to bring your idea to fruition. So, it is a win-win situation. All of this is in the interest of Nigeria,” Awakan said.

He commended Ajayi for sustaining the initiative and reaffirmed NTDA’s commitment to supporting its objectives within the authority’s mandate.

The Meet My Town, Know My State initiative is designed to raise awareness of Nigeria’s destinations, promote cultural heritage and encourage domestic travel. Its activities may include organised tours, tourism education, awareness campaigns, events and stakeholder engagements across the country.

Under the MoU, LEXLUC will coordinate and implement approved activities, develop tourism packages, mobilise sponsorship and partnerships, and report on progress. NTDA will provide relevant tourism information, institutional coordination, policy guidance and support for stakeholder engagement, subject to its mandate and applicable approval processes.

The signing was coordinated by Head of Legal Services at NTDA, Olufunke Soleye, and Head of Legal at LEXLUC, Mary Oluwatoyin Noibi-Edoze. Director of the Marketing and Promotions Department at NTDA, Mr Olufemi Akinyele, was also present alongside staff members of the department.

The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation between the two organisations to expand awareness of Nigeria’s tourism offerings and encourage greater participation in domestic tourism.

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