By Prince Osuagwu, Hi-Tech Editor

As a way of preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage, Federal Government has engaged the expertise of tower company, IHS Nigeria, to establish a digital museum to help display artifacts from Nigeria, online.

The move began yesterday with a partnership agreement between the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, NCMM and the tower company in Lagos.

NCMM is under the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, FMACCE, which also endorses the partnership.

The partnership is expected to leverage technologies to make Nigeria’s historical artifacts, artworks, and cultural monuments more accessible to the public through a digital museum.

It supports government’s digitization of Nigeria’s cultural heritage- a project championed by Minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa through the Digital Culture initiative. It marks a significant step towards modernizing the preservation and dissemination of Nigeria’s cultural assets.

The digital museum is said to be the first significant project of the Minister’s Digital Culture Initiative and is designed to provide a platform for the exploration and appreciation of Nigeria’s diverse cultural heritage.

HIS says the partnership underscores it’s commitment to sustainability and role in helping foster cultural preservation and digital education.

Mohamad Darwish, CEO, IHS Nigeria, commented, said: “We are excited to partner with the National Council for Museums and Monuments and the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy on this groundbreaking initiative. As a company deeply rooted in Nigeria, we recognize the importance of preserving, protecting, and promoting our cultural heritage. This partnership also aligns with our commitment to sustainability, education, economic growth, and community development. We look forward to contributing to the preservation of Nigeria’s cultural legacy”.

Musawa, Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, also said: “We are delighted to partner with IHS Nigeria on this initiative which aligns with His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, and our Ministry’s 8-point plan on fostering strategic partnerships. I am particularly pleased that this initiative, which is the first significant project under our Digital Culture Initiative, embodies our commitment to innovation, global partnerships, and the sustainable growth of our creative industries, positioning Nigeria as a leader on the global stage.”

That is also as Director General, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Olugbile Holloway, added: “We are grateful to IHS Nigeria for their support in this remarkable initiative. We believe that to keep ahead of current trends and appeal to a younger demographic, it is imperative that a digital experience of our rich cultural heritage is created and made available to the public. The digital museum will serve as an invaluable resource for researchers, students, and the general public, both in Nigeria and around the world, and will play a crucial role in the preservation of our national heritage” he added