Museums to visit in Nigeria
By Uche Eze Nigeria National Museum, Lagos The Nigerian National Museum was founded in 1957 and it houses some remarkable collections of the country’s sculptures, arts, ethnographic and archaeological displays. It’s one of the oldest museums in the history of Nigeria, which serves as a popular tourist site for foreigners. Gidan Makama Museum, […]
By Uche Eze
Nigeria National Museum, Lagos
The Nigerian National Museum was founded in 1957 and it houses some remarkable collections of the country’s sculptures, arts, ethnographic and archaeological displays. It’s one of the oldest museums in the history of Nigeria, which serves as a popular tourist site for foreigners.
Gidan Makama Museum, Kano
This museum has various galleries that display several traditional artefacts such as musical instruments, pictures and clothing materials of ancient tribes. The museum also serves as a palace, which is rumored to have been built in the 15th century.
Esie Museum, Kwara
Founded in 1945, Esie museum is one of the well preserved museums in Nigeria. It is renowned to have the largest collection of soap stone sculpting in Africa. The Esie museum is currently being used for religious activities, cultural practices and it hosts a festival yearly.
Benin City National Museum, Edo
Located at the centre of the city, precisely at the Oba’s square, this museum houses quite a number of important and ancient artefacts related to the Benin Empire such as terracotta, cast iron samples and bronze pieces, war weapons and even pictures of old warriors. This museum is well-kept and properly guarded.
National Museum, Jos
This museum is located in the heart of the city, the Jos Museum was founded in 1952. The museum offers collections such as Nok terracotta heads. These sculptures date back to 500 B. C. The museum is also home to a pottery hall, where prehistoric, well-crafted pottery are stored. There is also a collection of mining materials in this museum.
Badagry Heritage Museum
This museum is made up of eight galleries and a home to different artefacts. It also holds ancient records and paintings of the culture of the Badagry people. The museum also contains items and records that date back to the slavery era. The galleries are named after different periods in history.
National Gallery of Modern Art, Lagos
Located in the National Art Theater at Iganmu,this museum cuts across most cultures and tribes in Nigeria. It showcases pictures of past Head of States of Nigeria, pictures of literary giants, contemporary arts, bronze works, modern sculpture, ceramics, glass painting and textile.
National War Museum, Umuahia
The National War Museum in Umuahia houses some of the amazing war relics of the country. As the name implies, this museum is home to remnants of the equipment used doing the civil war. Also, relics of the Enugu coal miner riots, Aba women riot, the Ojukwu bunker as well as local bombs called Ogbungwe can be found in the museum.
National Museum, Kaduna
The National Museum Kaduna houses terracotta statutes, Benin bronzes and other ethnographic and archaeological artefacts too. Also, statues of ancient royal chiefs are displayed in this museum.There is also a traditional craft village on the premises for those who want to take home souvenirs.