Museums in Nigeria
The rich vein of historical artifacts held up in a museum goes to show the heritage of a people, and tells of how deep they have dove into the ocean of civilization. For a country like Nigeria which comprises of various ethnic groups, the museums should well relate a great story of cultural fusion. A visit to one (museum) could evoke some pleasant memories about the vast cultural artifacts that bind a people together. So, let’s now see some of the museums we have in Nigeria:
National Museum, Esie
The Esie Museum is the first museum to be established in Nigeria in 1945. The establishment of the museum was made possible by British administrator and archaeologist, Kenneth C. Murray who had previously gone about collecting the Esie soapstone figures. Today, the Esie museum is unique for the large collection of soapstone it carries. The museum also boasts of some interesting cultural relics, archaeological sites along with some other artifacts that will make a tourist’s visit fulfilling.
LOCATION: Esie town, Irepodun Local Government Area, Kwara State.
National Museum, Jos
The national museum n Jos was established by British archaeologist and museum curator, Bernard Evelyn Buller Fagg in 1952. The museum was the first national to be constructed in Nigeria- the Esie museum was only renamed a national museum long after it had been set up. The national museum in Jos houses Nok terracotta heads as well as artifacts that date back to 500 B.C. Also on display are a variety of pottery wares and replicas of some ancient buildings.
National Museum, Onikan
The popular Onikan museum (as it is fondly called) is another museum founded by K.C. Murray. It is home to an ample of artifacts from Nok terracotta to Benin ivories and bronzes and terracotta from Igbo Ukwu, Ife and Benin amongst other cultural relics- and you may already know or heard- the Mercedes Benz in which erstwhile Head of State, General Murtala Muhammed was assassinated can also be found there.
LOCATION: 2 JK Randle Street, Onikan, Lagos.
National Museum, Benin City
Benin art commands a lot of respect, and this may not be unconnected to the prominence of the Benin Empire. Some of the artworks are the things the national museum in Benin City has been preserving. Among the artifacts you will find there include royal regalia, terracotta, bronze and cast iron articles that were used in the Benin Empire. You will also find the bronze throne given to the Emperor by the Portuguese, royal plaques and shotguns used in the Ida war in the museum.
LOCATION: King’s Square, Benin City.
National War Museum, Umuahia
As the name already implies, the national war museum has in [and around] it relics from different warfare- the Nigerian civil war and traditional warfare. There are also certain pieces donated to the museum by other countries. On display are armored tanks, warships, Ogbunigwe (which were called Biafran bombs), charms, amulets and some other weapons of war. The museum was established in 1985.
LOCATION: Ebite Amafor, Isingwu Autonomous Community, Umuahia North Local Government Area, Abia State.
National Museum of Colonial History, Aba
For anyone who wishes to revisit the memories of Nigeria’s pre-independence years, a visit to the National Museum of Colonial History should be helpful. The museum was set up in 1985, and its collection includes [but not limited to] relics from slave trades, artifacts depicting the evolvement of Nigeria as a nation and a variety of traditional artworks.
LOCATION: 6, Ikot Ekpene Road, Aba, Abia State.
Oron Museum, Oron
Oron museum was established in 1958. It is known to hold over 500 wood carvings portraying the Ekpu- ancestral statuettes of the Oron people. Aside the Ekpu, you will also find the Ojukwu bunker which was used during the civil war plus pottery wares (traditionally called ‘Ishibori’) and the Ekpe.
LOCATION: 1, Oron Road, Oron, Akwa Ibom State.
Badagry Heritage Museum
Back in the 15th century down to the 1800’s, Badagry was the ‘haven’ of slave trade as it served as the route through which slaves were taken out of the country. While slave trade has since been abolished, a visit to the Badagry Heritage Museum could trigger some reflections on the ignominious activities that took place within the locality in time past. The museum carries an array of artifacts from slave trade documents to chains, padlocks, sketches and photos [depicting the event of the day back then] amongst other relevant relics.
LOCATION: Marina GRA Road, Boekoh Quarters District, Badagry.
Gidan Makama Museum, Kano
Gidan Makama Museum was opened in 1953, and the building which was built back in the 15th century is a sight of attraction on its own as it reflects the traditional architecture of the northerners. The pieces around the museum show the history of Kano city; some of these include: building materials used in ancient times, map of Kano city, Tsumburbura shrine, samples of farm implements and hunting gear, war instruments and several other artifacts. The portraits of Sardauna Ahmadu Bello, Tafawa Balewa and Nnamdi Azikwe can also be seen there.
LOCATION: Emir Palace Road, Kofar Dan Agudi, Kano State.
National Gallery of Modern Art
If you are about a place that reverberates with Nigerian arts then the National Gallery of Modern Art should get a mention as a befitting spot. The gallery qualifies as a museum since it holds an array of artworks from reputable Nigerian artists- some of whom we can called the pioneers of art in the country- like Bruce Onobrakpeya, Erhabor Emokpae, Ben Osawe, Gani Odutokun and a couple of others. It houses articles and/or artworks such as pottery wares, glass paintings, textiles bronze bust and so on. There are also portraits of Chinua Achebe, Wole Soyinka, Ben Enwonwu and Hubert Ogunde within the gallery.
LOCATION: National Art Theatre, Iganmu, Orile, Lagos State.
OTHERS
Kanta Museum, Kebbi State
Collections/Spots of Interest: weapons, drums and royal tombs of the past Emirs of Kebbi State.
Owo Museum, Ondo State
Collections: traditional artworks, royal artifacts as well as artifacts from Benin and Ife kingdoms.
Calabar Museum, Cross River
Collections: relics from slave trade and many cultural artifacts.
Centre for Black and African Art and Civilization, Lagos
Collections: pieces used in FESTAC ’77; among which are figurines, sculptures, textiles and much more.
National Museum, Kaduna State
Collections: Ife sculptures, Benin bronzes, masks, terracotta figurines, replicas of buildings showing off traditional (Hausa) architecture.
National Museum, Port-Harcourt
Collections: Kalabari Alili, duien fubara, bronze, masks and masquerades, samples of instruments used for fishing, trading and farming in the Niger Delta, e.t.c.
National Museum, Abeokuta
Collections: relics from Egbaland and other artifacts from pre- and post- colonial times.
National Museum of Unity, Enugu State
Collections: memorial head of the Oba of Benin, bronze from Igbo Ukwu, Dakakari pottery, Ere Ibeji and some other cultural and historical artifacts.
Museum of Natural History, Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife
Collections: pieces of rocks, specimens of plants and animals and other artifacts of scientific significance.
Museum of Traditional Nigerian Architecture, Jos
Collections: replicas of buildings showing off traditional architecture from different ethnic groups in Nigeria.
Do note that the list above is not an exhaustive one; there are still a couple of museums that are run by government and private entities out there.