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Nigeria must ensure museums are adequately prepared to receive, conserve repatriated looted cultural treasures – Falola
*Canvasses incorporation of public history, museum studies into curricula
Ayo Ola
Award recipient of The Danny Williams and Arden Williams Public History, Titilope Rosemary Falola, has that Nigeria must take action to ensure that its museums are adequately prepared to receive and conserve repatriated looted cultural treasures.
She also urged the Federal Government and management of private tertiary institutions as well as other stakeholders to incorporate public history and museum studies into the curricula of tertiary institutions in the country.
She maintained that a critical step in preparing for the future is the incorporation of public history and museum studies into Nigerian tertiary institutions’ curricula.
Falola, who also holds Master of Arts, History, from University of West Georgia, also stated that if the repatriated treasures are to be well managed, there is the need for a new generation of historians and conservators equipped with practical skills in museum management, collection care, archiving and curation.
She spoke, according to a statement on Monday. The statement was titled:”The West Can’t Keep Talking About Repatriation While We Neglect Our Museums.”
Falola said: “The conversation around repatriation of artifacts from Western museums to their countries of origin, including Nigeria, has rightly gained global attention. However, while the West advocates for the return of looted artifacts, Nigeria must take action to ensure that its museums are adequately prepared to receive and conserve these cultural treasures. The dialogue about restitution cannot be one-sided. We, in Nigeria, need to address the shortcomings in our museum sector if we are to responsibly manage the heritage being returned to us.
“It is counterproductive for the West to push for the repatriation of our cultural artifacts while we are not investing in the infrastructure required to house them. Many Nigerian museums suffer from poor funding, insufficient conservation facilities, and a lack of trained personnel. Repatriation is not just about returning artifacts—it is about ensuring these treasures are preserved for future generations. Without proper investment in our museums, we risk losing the very items we fought to bring home.”
Falola, a History and International Studies graduate of the University of Ilorin, also urged the federal, state and local governments in Nigeria to prioritize funding to improve museum infrastructure.
She added that they should provide state-of-the-art storage, climate control systems, and security in the available museums.
According to her, this will allow museums in the country to properly care for sensitive artifacts, many of which, she said, require specific environmental conditions to prevent deterioration.
Falola who also holds Master of Science degree, Applied Business Analytics from University of West Georgia cautioned that if these issues were not addressed, the very objects the nation reclaimed may degrade over time, undermining the significance of their return.
She said: “A critical step in preparing for the future is the incorporation of public history and museum studies into Nigerian university curricula. If we are to manage these repatriated treasures, we need a new generation of historians and conservators equipped with practical skills in museum management, collection care, archiving, and curation.”
“Universities should offer hands-on experience in museum collections, allowing students to directly engage with artifacts, learn proper conservation techniques, and understand the importance of exhibition design and museum administration. By training future professionals in museum studies, we can build a workforce capable of running museums to global standards, ensuring the sustainability of our cultural heritage.
“We cannot solely rely on external pressure to return our artifacts. Nigeria must demonstrate its commitment to heritage conservation by addressing the internal challenges that our museum sector faces. If we focus on improving our museums—both through government funding and educational reforms—Nigeria can become a leader in the global movement for cultural heritage preservation. Only then will the repatriation conversation move from a symbolic gesture to a lasting legacy for our nation.”
