Commissioned by Hannatu Musawa, the minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, the project is a significant step towards restoring and improving critical facilities at the museum complex, while supporting the long-term preservation of Nigeria’s cultural assets and heritage.

The project has improved the overall aesthetic appeal of the museum site and featured extensive restoration of the museum’s main gallery.

The restored gallery incorporates the installation of modern display and lighting systems, air‑conditioning units, a solar inverter system to enhance energy efficiency, and surveillance cameras to aid safety, security and operational performance across the facility.

These renovations and upgrades follow on from IHS Nigeria’s sponsorship of the museum’s efforts to digitize Nigeria’s cultural heritage and launch Nigeria’s first digital museum of antiquities.

Mohamad Darwish, CEO, IHS Nigeria, commented,

“Having seen the rich historical and cultural heritage housed in this national museum complex, we believed it was important to go a step further after supporting the development of the digital museum, to also improve the aesthetics, security and structural integrity of the main physical complex. This aligns with our broader commitment to sustainable infrastructure development and the preservation of Nigeria’s history. I am proud of these renovations and that visitors, including tourists, researchers and art enthusiasts, can visit the museum to be immersed in Nigeria’s rich history in an environment that is safe, beautiful and welcoming. The artifacts can also now be better preserved, protected and presented in a way that celebrates the history they represent. I thank the National Commission for Museums and Monuments for this ongoing partnership which continues to exemplify the power of a collaborative effort in driving innovation, fostering national pride, and enhancing the creative economy.”

Olugbile Holloway, director general, National Commission for Museums and Monuments, commented,

“On behalf of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, I wish to express our deepest gratitude to IHS Nigeria for their generous support of the restoration of the National Museum, Lagos. This landmark gesture goes far beyond bricks and mortar, it is a profound commitment to preserving the soul of our nation. The National Museum Lagos is home to some of Nigeria’s most treasured antiquities, from the ancient terracotta of the Nok civilization to the magnificent bronzes of the Benin Kingdom and the classical works of Ife. To restore this institution is to restore our collective memory. We thank IHS Nigeria for choosing to renew not just infrastructure, but the heritage, identity, and the hope of our people. Their support ensures that generations of Nigerians yet unborn will walk through these halls and encounter the full greatness of who we are and where we come from.” 

Olumide Iyanda, deputy general secretary of the Guild, made the call on Thursday while delivering a goodwill message at the opening ceremony of the 4th Peace Anyiam-Osigwe Nigeria Digital Content Regulation Conference (NDCRC) organised by the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB) in Lagos.

The theme of the two-day conference is “Film and Video Regulation in the Digital Age, Balancing Creativity and Responsibility.”

Mr Iyanda conveyed GOCOP’s commendation to the Minister of Art, Culture and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, for her support of the NFVCB under the leadership of Dr Shaibu Husseini.

According to him, the conference not only serves as a tribute to the visionary contributions of the late Peace Anyiam-Osigwe but also as an essential forum for collaboration, learning and strategising to shape the future of digital content responsibly.

“The NFVCB’s commitment to creating a balanced regulatory framework that respects creativity while upholding societal values is commendable and deeply aligns with our mission at GOCOP which was established to promote professionalism among online publishers and uphold the ethical standards of journalism in the digital space,” Iyanda said.

As a member of the Nigeria Press Organisation (NPO) and one of the drivers of the National Media Complaints Commission (NMCC), also known as the media Ombudsman, GOCOP plays a crucial role in ensuring that online publications maintain high standards of integrity and professionalism, thereby contributing positively to the media landscape in Nigeria.

“The legacy of Peace Anyiam-Osigwe is a reminder to us all of the transformative power of content that respects cultural heritage and inspires positive change.”

Speaking earlier in his welcome address, Executive Director of the NFVCB, Dr Husseini said: “As we gather to exchange ideas, forge new partnerships, and chart a course for Nigeria’s digital content regulation future, I want to emphasise the importance of collaboration and cooperation in our shared goal of promoting a vibrant and responsible creative sector.

“The whole idea of the digital content regulation conference was named after the late iconic writer, filmmaker and producer, Peace Anyiam-Osigwe, and which I must credit my predecessor, Alhaji Adedayo Thomas.”

He noted that since the industry had the power to shape minds and influence culture, stakeholders needed to balance artistic expression with sensitivity and respect for the audience.

“By doing so, we are not only upholding the integrity of our industry but also contributing to a more informed and empathetic society,” Husseini said.

In her keynote address, Mo Abudu, the founder of EbonyLife Group, emphasised the importance of changing the narrative about Africa through content.

“As creatives, we must understand that with great power comes great responsibility. We must balance our creative freedom with the need to protect our audiences, particularly children, from harmful or inappropriate content.

“We can change the narrative about Africa with content. We must create stories that resonate with global audiences, stories that showcase our unique perspectives and experiences as Africans,” she said.

Hannatu Musawa, who was represented by General Manager of the National Theatre, Tola Akerele, commended NFVCB for organising the conference.

“I commend the NFVCB for organising this conference, which is a vital platform for discussing pressing issues in the digital space.

“It’s a great opportunity for stakeholders to come together and explore ways to promote the growth and development of the creative industry in Nigeria,” Musawa said.

This initiative was formally introduced on September 2, 2024, during a gathering of the diplomatic community and international development partners at the United Nations House in Abuja.

The event highlighted the prospects within Nigeria’s creative industries, which encompass a wide variety of sectors including arts, culture, and various creative enterprises. 

The Minister noted the importance of this roadmap as a tool for both economic growth and also cultural preservation as well as skill development within the country.

Musawa’s vision for Nigeria’s creative sector includes an aggressive target to create two million jobs by 2027, as she previously indicated in discussions with the Nigerian Economic Summit Group earlier this year. 

This goal is underpinned by plans to introduce a financing framework that will provide the necessary support for the sector’s expansion. 

The roadmap also includes “The 8 Point Plan,” which has been in development since 2023, and is designed to drive innovation, sustainability, and collaboration within the industry.

In her address, Musawa called upon artists, stakeholders, and international partners to unite in realising the vision of positioning Nigeria as the leading creative hub in Africa. 

She highlighted the sector’s capacity to contribute greatly to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and its role in driving economic empowerment, particularly among the youth.

Support for the initiative has been reiterated by international organisations, with UNESCO’s Head of Office in Nigeria, Abdourahamane Diallo, commending the roadmap’s alignment with global standards for the promotion of cultural diversity. 

Diallo assured continued support from UNESCO in facilitating an environment that enables and protects cultural expressions, which include a broad range of creative outputs from film to fashion.

Nigeria’s creative sector, particularly in music and film, has seen commendable growth in recent years. Musicians in the country have achieved global recognition, and Nollywood, Nigeria’s film industry, stands as one of the most prolific in the world. 

This growth is especially driven by the country’s youthful and diverse population, which provides a rich pool of talent and cultural narratives.

The roadmap presented by Musawa aims to build on these successes by creating an enabling environment that supports sustainable development and job creation, ensuring that Nigeria’s cultural heritage and creative industries can continue to thrive on both a national and global stage.

Speaking during a visit to the S2B project office in Abuja, Hannatu Musawa, the minister of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy, re-echoed government’s commitment to empower women across the country through the innovative Scrap to Bank (S2B) programme, a poverty alleviation and economic empowerment initiative.

The S2B programme, an initiative of the Association of Spouses of Nigerian Ambassadors (ASNA) is being implemented in partnership with the African Women’s Banking Initiative (AWBI) and the Fashion Academy, in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture and the Creative Economy (FMACCE) and endorsed by the Federal Ministry of Tourism, aims to transform scrap materials into valuable household items.

These include pot holders, table runners, tissue holders, kitchen gloves, pillows and coasters, among others.

Musawa highlighted that the S2B programme will not only empower a significant number of Nigerian women but also provide a platform to boost the fashion industry and contribute to environmental sustainability.

She emphasised that expanding the project could significantly impact Nigeria’s economy, with the potential to contribute up to $100 billion to the country’s GDP.

“If the government helps to expand this initiative, it will add value to the economy by taking scrap and turning it into something usable and sellable, positively impacting the economy,” Musawa stated.

The minister also noted that the Scrap-to-Bank initiative addresses climate change issues by promoting recycling and reducing waste.

She revealed that the government is actively working to tackle climate change and sees the S2B programme as a key component of these efforts.

Musawa expressed optimism that the initiative could be exported to other countries, showcasing Nigerian culture on a global stage. She encouraged the fashion industry nationwide to contribute their scrap materials to the project, which will be transformed into valuable products.

The minister assured that the government would collaborate with relevant ministries, including the Ministry of Trade and Investment and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to expand the project and empower more households.

She also mentioned that the ministry is working towards establishing a fund to support the Scrap-to-Bank programme and ensure its long-term success.

Dr. Angela Adamu, president of ASNA and AWBI, recalled that the project began a few months ago in collaboration with various partners, with the goal of lifting women out of poverty and unemployment.

She emphasised the critical role of women in shaping future generations through skills and education.

“Research has shown that the most influential factor in developing and changing a generation for the better is a woman’s influence, especially in terms of skills and education of the children,” Adamu stated.

She also highlighted some of the challenges the S2B initiative faces, including reaching the right women to empower and finding markets for the products.

However, she remained optimistic that as production increases, so will the number of women empowered through the programme.

The S2B initiative is a promising step towards women’s economic empowerment in Nigeria, with the potential to drive significant social and economic change by transforming waste into wealth.

Nina Kwande, CEO and founder of The Fashion Academy, explained that the Scrap-to-Bank project aims to teach and train women to be more creative with their skills, particularly those who are currently unemployed or underemployed.

The project sources its scrap materials from tailors and other material handlers, transforming waste into valuable products.