By Kehinde Akinpelu, Ilorin
A recipient of The Danny Williams and Arden Williams Public History Award, Titilope Rosemary Falola, has urged the federal and state governments as well as managers of private institutions and other stakeholders to provide state-of-the-art storage, climate control systems, and security in museums across the country.
She disclosed the call in statement titled: โThe West Canโt Keep Talking About Repatriation While We Neglect Our Museums.โ
Falola also stated that federal, state and local governments as well as tertiary institutions and other institutions must prioritize funding to improve museum infrastructure.
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 : โthe very objects we reclaim may degrade over time, undermining the significance of their return.โ
She said Nigeria must demonstrate commitment to heritage conservation.
Falola said : โThe 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.
โIt 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 artifactsโit 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.
โA 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.โ
Falola, who is also 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 urged them to allow students to directly engage with artifacts, learn proper conservation techniques, and understand the importance of exhibition design and museum administration.
According to her, by training future professionals in museum studies, a workforce capable of running museums to global standards can be built and ensuring the sustainability of the nationโs cultural heritage.
โWe 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.
โIf we focus on improving our museumsโboth through government funding and educational reformsโNigeria 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,โ Falola said.
(vitalnewsngr.com)
