Dynamism in the museum world is so infectious that no country can afford to be left behind. Notwithstanding, each country needs a depth of introspection to be able to strategically design the future of its museums in the sense of what place they should occupy in the march towards a sometimes uncertain future. It is in this light that I seek to discuss albeit briefly the trajectory of Nigeria's museums since inception during the colonial era, do a surgical critique of the performance of those entrusted with the stewardship of these collections in the last six decades since the attainment of independence in terms of what they did and failed to do and then gingerly proceed to attempt a projection of the way forward. It has to be said that while it sounds nice to be seen to be operating according to international best practices, we should endeavour to design a future based on observed realities of our circumstances.
Musa Oluwaseyi Hambolu | The Present and Future of Museums in Nigeria
24.06.2024 | Material Migrations Online Lecture Series
Dr. Musa Oluwaseyi Hambolu teaches Museology and Heritage Studies at the Department of Archaeology and Heritage Studies, University of Jos--Nigeria. An archaeologist, he retired from the services of the National Commission for Museums & Monuments in 2014 as the Director of Research, Planning & Publications. He was sequentially the Curator of four National Museums in Nigeria (Esie, Maiduguri, Kano and Lagos) in which capacity he participated in many activities aimed at combating the problems of illicit trafficking in Nigeria’s Antiquities. From 2006 to 2009, he was the President of West Africa Archaeological Association from 2006 to 2009.
Registration link: https://eu02web.zoom-x.de/meeting/register/u5Asde-tpj8vGtQRbyPhSmDnDRaGH1h_JJ5Z
This talk is part of the online lecture series "Material Migrations" connected to the Gerda Henkel Foundation research project "Material Migrations: Mamluk Metalwork across Afro-Eurasia", directed by Gertrude Aba Mansah Eyifa-Dzidzienyo and Vera-Simone Schulz.