Nigeria’s Diverse Cultures.
“Culture refers to a population or group of people’s way of life, including practices, beliefs, and values. Culture is the nonphysical border between people who live together within geographical limits. Many generations of our ancestors have passed down pulsating cultural practices and traditional legacies in Nigeria. However, this is rightly true. We shall have no heritage to show the world our roots if we do not have culture and its different parts, such as clothing, language, beliefs, tribal dance insignia, food, etc. These are some of the things that make up the unique components of our cultural heritage.
Nigeria is rich in culture and customs due to its diverse ethnic groups. However, most of Nigeria’s cultural assets and traditions are currently in a state of danger due to a lack of active practice of local customs and traditions, art trafficking and exports from Nigeria, museum robberies, looting, vandalism, Christianity, civilisation, lack of government protection and development initiatives, among other things, hindering conservation attempts in Nigeria.
Nigeria has a plethora of large, diverse, and colourful festivals that abound in Nigeria’s rich cultural tradition, full of harmonic progression, great memories, spirituality, and high intensity. Most of them are shrouded in deep secrets. Their origins can be traced to traditional religious rituals, sports, the arts, folklore, and dance. These cultural and traditional activities are sometimes emotionally charged with deep spiritual connotations.
These festivals serve as a cultural reminder of the greatest traditions of the country, which should be passed down from generation to generation. They are also a priceless asset that should be showcased regularly through a comprehensive approach that allows local and international participants in the arts, culture, and tourism sectors, both public and private, to improve their promotional and commercial values.
Tribes
Many of Nigeria’s ethnic groupings are made up of Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba ethnic groupings. In addition, there are an estimated total of 371 tribes in Nigeria. Furthermore, there are about 520 languages, some of which are derivatives of the main three tribes, Igbo, Hausa, and Yoruba, and they are found in the different states in Nigeria.
The multi-tribal nature of Nigeria, on the other hand, might be confusing, especially when different tribes start to exhibit their own culture, dialect, and other characteristics. However, each of these tribes has its own culturally rich background, making it unique. This interspersing of cultures and customs extends back hundreds, if not thousands, of years, but most of the rich cultures and traditions are fast vanishing and, in some cases, are not documented or conveyed orally to the next 
generation. In a country like Nigeria, where record-keeping is an issue, the possibility of these traditions and customs finding their way into the national archives is almost impossible.
Impact of Christianity on Culture and Traditions.
When the goal of the colonial masters was to repress and usurp existing traditional religions and cultures to replace them with the foreign-made religion of Christianity, the effect was swift. Hence, Nigerians at the time embraced Christianity as the new norm of worship. As a result, the new religion quickly swept through most of the country’s west, south, and eastern parts. However, unlike certain countries like Haiti and Cuba and some others in Latin America that infuse Christianity and a bit of Voodoo practice into their Christian beliefs but are still doing so as not to jettison their roots and cultural beliefs, the case is different in Nigeria. Today, most Nigerian festivals, traditions, and cultures are under significant threat from Westernisation and religious fundamentalists who demonise some of the country’s unique customs and traditions such as the new yam Festival, Osun Festival, Argungu Festival, Awankere Festival (Okere Juju), Eyo Festival, Ofala Festival, and many more.
Benefits of Promoting Culture and Traditions
Nigeria is losing millions of dollars in tourism due to the country’s current security crisis. A lack of government intervention in promoting Nigerian culture and tourism is also killing the country’s ability to showcase its rich cultural heritage. Nigerians will be a magnet for tourism if adequately fostered. Tourists and explorers from all over the world will appreciate visiting cultural museums that preserve ancient paintings and artwork, but they will also pay to see and experience some of Nigeria’s unique traditions and culture. Therefore, Nigeria profits significantly in tourism if adequate investment is made in promoting culture and improving visitor attractions. This will also result in the creation of employment and the support of local businesses.
