Best museums in Nigeria: location and year of establishment

macfranc007 October 02, 2017 Nigeria News today & Breaking news ▷ Read Nigerian newspapers 24/7 Mary Ikande

Anyone who considers himself a patriot will want to learn as much as possible about the land on which he lives. This article describes the best museums in Nigeria that you definitely should visit.

Top museums in Nigeria: location and year of establishment

Not only will you enjoy witnessing our impressive cultural heritage, you will also catch a glimpse into how our ancestors live when you visit these museums. You will also be able to see how far we have come and the achievements we have made during different periods in history.

Despite the fact that people are constantly moving into the future, it would be a mistake to forget our past. When we look at the past, we draw inspiration for new achievements in the present and make plans for the future. Different works of art very accurately convey changes in the existence of man. Museums help to unlock memories and look at the world in a new way.

The creation and appreciation of museums can be said to have begun in Nigeria in the 1950s. Numerous institutions were created to preserve the Nigerian art and culture. They collected various ethnographic materials and artifacts found on the territory of Nigeria. In many of these museums, you can find a lot of ancient materials that can’t be seen anywhere else - except in books and other historical publications.

1. National Museum, Lagos

In this institution, founded in 1957, there is a rich collection of art, archaeological excavations and exhibits of ethnography. Here you can look at ancient monuments, statues and carvings. This museum is deservedly considered one of the best n Nigeria.

2. JOS museum

This institution began functioning in 1952. It is located not far from the zoo in the heart of the city. When you come here, you will learn a lot about the prehistoric period in Nigeria. The Jos museum has exhibits dating back to 500 B.C. You will enjoy the beauty of finely crafted ceramic products. There are also exhibitions with mining materials, preserved from old times. It will be a good pastime for both a tourist and a native of Nigeria who wants to know more about his country.

3. National War Museum, Umuahia

This institution was established in 1985 and nominated as one of the 7 wonders for tourists in Nigeria. This majestic place is situated in the Abia State. It displays galleries dedicated to the Civil War and the armed forces. There are many Nigerian weapons and tools that are connected to the Niger Delta and other clashes. You will be amazed to see bombs and other items used by these militants at the time. These exhibits serve as reminders of the evils of war. You will certainly feel the impact of war on Nigeria's reputation in the world and the lives of its people.

4. National Museum, Benin City

This place will be easy to find, as it is in the center of the city. King’s square, to be precise. The museum was founded in 1973. Here you will see original works that will evoke genuine admiration such as bronze sculptures, terracotta products and cast iron reminiscent of the times of the ancient Benin Empire. You will learn a lot about our national culture and history.

5. National Museum, Kaduna

The institution was established in 1975. Here you can see interesting ethnographic and archeological artifacts such as statuettes made of bronze and terracotta. Also, you will appreciate the atmosphere of the traditional village of artisans located directly in the museum. Here, you will surely learn more about Nigerian crafts.

6. Calabar Old Residency Museum

This institution has a very interesting story. The one-storey building was built in 1884. The fact is that it was not even built in Nigeria. Several parts were sent here through Morocco from Scotland. Initially, the premises served as the headquarters of the administration of colonial authorities. Here you will find an abundance of historical knowledge about the colonial and pre-colonial times in our country. This is especially true for the sale of palm oil. Also, this building touches the issue of the slave trade Relics and records are safely protected so that museum guests can look at them for many more years to come.

7. Esię Museum, Kwara State

This was the first museum in Nigeria. It was founded in 1945. The stone figures certainly captures the attention of guests. The collection is considered to be the largest in the world. The museum employee will tell you interesting stories about how these findings were discovered.

The museum has both ancient and modern galleries. The total number of artifacts is approximately 2000. In the new gallery, there are other items besides the ancient stones. Every year in April, there is a festival of monuments. If you want to learn more about cultural history, be sure to visit this establishment.

8. Gidan Makama Museum, Kano

This is a very important historical monument of Nigeria. The building in which it is located was built in the 15th century. After the British took over in the beginning of the last century, the building served as the office of colonial administration. Then it was divided into three parts: a museum, a school, and an administration office.

Here you will find 11 galleries with exhibits that depict the culture and history of Kano. You will learn a lot about architecture, the period of civil war, religion and music. Kano itself is the oldest city in the territory of West Africa. In Nigeria, it is the second largest.

A lot of attention is drawn to the architectural design of the building. At the exhibitions, you can see photographic documents of the city and ethnographic materials of the Hausa people.

You can appreciate the traditional architecture and even the building materials that Kano residents used in the past. Also, there is the gate through which the Europeans came into the city to seize it. You can learn about the religious, political, economical, crafts, agricultural sector and other aspects of people's lives at this museum. In one of the halls, the furnishing of the Hausa bride's room is recreated.

9. Badagry Heritage Museum

An important feature of this institution is that all relics are reliably preserved here. The documentation is operated with special care. Here, you can find out interesting details about the period of the slave trade. You can also learn a lot about the culture, history of the inhabitants of Badagry, who lived near the coast.

The one-storey building was erected in 1863. There are 8 galleries, names of which correspond to the periods of the slave trade. Visitors can create a clear picture of the development of events following this timeline.

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10. Oron Museum

Here you will get acquainted with old wood carvings. This place houses the oldest exhibits on the continent. There are also unique relics of the Civil War. One of them is Ojukwu’s bunker. Initially, the foundation was held in 1958-1959. During the war, the museum was plundered so that for a while it did not fulfill its cultural function. The institution was rebuilt in 1975. Today you can see restored figures of wood which serve as reminders of the culture of the local population, artisans' products, ethnographic finds.

As you can see, Nigeria is an open book. It can be read by anyone who is interested. Be inquisitive. Then you will find a lot of interesting surprises.

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