“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.”
Kehinde Akinpelu, Ilorin
A graduate of Museum Studies, University of West Georgia, Titilope Rosemary Falola, has said Nigeria needs to address shortcomings in its museum sector.
She noted that many Nigerian museums suffer from poor funding, insufficient conservation facilities, and a lack of trained personnel.
She stated these in a statement on Monday titled: “The West Can’t Keep Talking About Repatriation While We Neglect Our Museums.”
The graduate of History and International Studies, of the University of Ilorin said Nigeria must take action to ensure that its museums are adequately prepared to receive and conserve returned looted cultural treasures.
She 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 who is a the recipient of The Danny Williams and Arden Williams Public History Award, appealed to the federal and state governments in Nigeria, management of private institution and other stakeholders to prioritize funding to improve museum infrastructure, providing state-of-the-art storage, climate control systems, and security.
According to her, this will allow museums in the country to properly care for sensitive artifacts, many of which require specific environmental conditions to prevent deterioration.
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.”
