A recipient of the Danny Williams and Arden Williams Public History Award, Titilope Rosemary Falola, has called on Nigeria to demonstrate commitment to heritage conservation.
Falola also stated that federal, state and local governments as well as tertiary and other institutions must prioritise funding to improve museum infrastructure.
In a statement titled: ”The West Can’t Keep Talking About Repatriation While We Neglect Our Museums,” Falola, who also is a History and International Studies graduate of the University of Ilorin, said universities and other tertiary institutions should offer hands-on experience in museum collections.
She added that there should be the provision of state-of-the-art storage, climate control systems, and security.
According to her, these amenities will allow museums in the country to properly care for sensitive artifacts, many of which require specific environmental conditions to prevent deterioration.
She warned that if these issues were not addressed, “the very objects we reclaim may degrade over time, undermining the significance of their return.”
“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.
“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,” Falola said.
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