U.S. Mission promotes Nigerian rock art with travelling exhibition

The U.S. Mission in collaboration with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments and the Trust for African Rock Art, have launched a unique travelling exhibition named, “The Ancient Rock Art of Nigeria” hosted at the National Museum in Lagos.

The exhibition, which also seeks to raise awareness of the importance of preserving Nigerian rock art, a cultural treasure at risk, is in furtherance of the U.S government’s support for the preservation of Nigeria’s rich heritage through the sponsorship of the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) and other partnership mechanisms.

Delivering remarks during the opening of the exhibition, Brandon Hudspeth, acting U.S. consul general highlighted the commitment and continued support of the U.S. Mission towards preserving Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage.

Hudspeth noted that the scope and depth of the various AFCP projects in the country has helped to strengthen collaborative efforts in the preservation of Nigeria’s cultural heritage, both for future generations and for tourism.

The consul general disclosed that Nigeria has received 10 Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation grants worth $1 million with projects spread across the country since the programme’s inception.

“This achievement shines a light on Nigeria’s historical and cultural heritage. It is also a symbol of the high regard in which the United States holds Nigerian culture,” Hudspeth added.

Also speaking, Abba Issa Tijani, director general, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, commended the impact of AFCP projects across Nigerian museums.

“The U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation has been yielding great results in terms of capacity building, documentation and digitization of our rich cultural heritage. This is just the beginning. We look forward to many more productive partnerships with the U.S. government,” Tijani said.

David Coulson, executive chairman, Trust for African Rock Art, explained that the aim of the travelling exhibition is to engage communities living near the rock sites on the beauty of rock art as well as the perils it faces from both human and natural forces.

Coulson also emphasised the relevance of increased involvement of community members in efforts to preserve and benefit from their rich cultural heritage.

The exhibition also includes monoliths from museum storage rooms which have not been on public display for decades, over 50 photographs, 3D reproductions and thematic videos.

A key component of the project is the preservation of rock art in Cross River and Jigawa states, ensuring its conservation through proper documentation and the provision of basic infrastructure.

The National Commission for Museums and Monuments and the Trust for African Rock Art are the main partners providing expertise and leadership for the implementation of the project.

By involving Ahmadu Bello University in Zaria and the University of Calabar, the project has strengthened a national network responsible for the conservation and promotion of the ancient rock art of Nigeria.

The exhibition will be open to visitors over the next four weeks in Lagos before moving to the National Museum in Calabar in July and the Ahmadu Bello University Zaria in September.