The Clock is Ticking: Saving Nigeria’s Sacred Sites from Urban Encroachment

10

In the shadow of Nigeria’s ancient hills and sacred groves lies a tapestry of history woven from centuries of human ingenuity, spiritual depth, and cultural resilience. Sites like the Sukur Cultural Landscape in Adamawa State, with its terraced fields and iron-smelting ruins dating back to the 16th century, and the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove in Osun State, a lush forest sanctuary dedicated to the Yoruba goddess Osun, stand as testaments to this legacy. These are Nigeria’s only two UNESCO World Heritage Sites, inscribed in 1999 and 2005 respectively, yet they represent just a fraction of the country’s potential. 

As urbanisation accelerates and global pressures mount, the regulation and preservation of these heritage sites have become a critical national imperative. But why protect them? And how can Nigeria turn these treasures into economic engines while learning from its African neighbours?

The Legal Framework: A Foundation in Need of Repair

Nigeria’s heritage landscape is vast and diverse, encompassing over 65 national monuments and sites managed by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), established under Decree No. 77 of 1979. This law, now over four decades old, consolidated earlier colonial-era provisions to safeguard cultural artefacts, monuments, and sites. It empowers the NCMM to oversee excavations, conservation, and prohibitions on illicit transfers. 

RELATED NEWS

• The Legacy of Looted Treasures: Colonial Art Acquisitions, Repatriation, and the Future of African Heritage
• MOWAA in Benin City: A Complete Guide to West African Art and Heritage
• Lemlem: Weaving African Heritage into Global Fashion

However, the legislation has been criticised as outdated, with calls for amendments to address modern challenges like climate change and urban encroachment. At the federal level, the NCMM handles national oversight, including partnerships with UNESCO and international agreements, such as the 2022 U.S.-Nigeria Memorandum of Understanding to combat cultural trafficking. State governments, meanwhile, play a complementary role. 

In Lagos, the Ministry of Tourism, Arts, and Culture (MTAC) enforces the 2011 Preservation Law, focusing on local festivals and capacity building. Yet this federal-state divide often leads to inconsistencies, with states like Ondo preserving sites such as Oke Idanre through community-led initiatives, while federal resources lag in remote areas.

Why Preservation Matters

The reasons for protecting these sites are multifaceted and compelling. First, they anchor cultural identity in a nation of over 250 ethnic groups. Heritage sites preserve intangible elements like folklore, rituals, and traditional knowledge, fostering social cohesion and intergenerational transmission.

For instance, the Osun-Osogbo Grove hosts an annual festival that draws thousands, reinforcing Yoruba spirituality and community bonds. Educationally, these sites serve as living classrooms, teaching history, archaeology, and environmental stewardship. Economically, protection enables sustainable monetisation through tourism, which can generate jobs and revenue. 

Globally, heritage tourism contributes billions, and in Nigeria, well-managed sites could alleviate poverty in local communities by promoting crafts, festivals, and eco-lodges. Moreover, preservation combats environmental degradation; sites like the Niger Delta Mangroves, on Nigeria’s tentative UNESCO list, protect biodiversity while honouring cultural ties. Without protection, sites face looting, as seen in the illicit trade of Benin artefacts, or destruction from conflict and development. Monetisation, done right, ensures self-sustaining preservation—think entrance fees, guided tours, and partnerships with the private sector—turning heritage from a liability into an asset.

Comparing Nigeria’s efforts with those of other African countries reveals stark contrasts and valuable lessons. Nigeria boasts only two UNESCO sites, far behind Ethiopia’s 11, South Africa’s 10, and Egypt’s seven. Ethiopia excels in integrating heritage into national identity, with sites like Aksum’s obelisks drawing tourists through robust funding and community involvement. Post-apartheid South Africa has leveraged sites like Robben Island for reconciliation and economic growth, with heritage tourism contributing significantly to GDP through strong laws and public-private partnerships. 

Morocco’s regeneration of Fez’s medina transformed a deteriorating historic centre into a thriving tourist hub, blending preservation with modern infrastructure. In contrast, Nigeria struggles with underfunding; UNESCO reports highlight the NCMM’s marginal status and resource shortages, which have led to site deterioration. Mali’s Timbuktu, damaged by conflict, underscores the need for international aid, something Nigeria has tapped via Blue Shield protections for 18 museums and Sukur. 

Kenya and Tanzania effectively monetise natural-cultural hybrids like Mount Kilimanjaro, with community benefit-sharing models that Nigeria lacks. At the same time, Nigerian states like Lagos emphasise festivals, while federal efforts pale in comparison to Egypt’s pyramid-driven tourism empire, which generates millions annually through strict regulations and global marketing. Nigeria’s approach is fragmented; federal laws exist, but enforcement is weak, unlike South Africa’s integrated national strategy.

The Path Toward Transformation

To bridge these gaps, the Nigerian government must take decisive action. First, update outdated legislation: The pending bill to amend the NCMM Act, submitted in 2019, should be fast-tracked to include stiffer penalties for violations, digital protections, and climate resilience measures. Increased funding is essential; allocating budget deductions for culture, as proposed in the bill, could mirror South Africa’s model. 

Community engagement is key; empower local custodians with training, as in Ethiopia, and develop Heritage Conservation Management Frameworks (HCMF) for sites like Ikorodu. Promote digital preservation to combat looting and enhance accessibility, drawing on South Africa and Uganda’s IK digitisation projects. Enforce against urban threats through better physical planning, as highlighted in Lagos studies, where inadequate maintenance is a key driver of degradation. For monetisation, invest in sustainable tourism infrastructure, such as eco-friendly facilities at Sukur, and partner with international bodies to secure grants. Finally, nominate more sites to UNESCO, such as Oke Idanre and Old Oyo, to boost global visibility and funding. These steps would harmonise federal and state efforts, turning heritage into a driver of sustainable development.

Nigeria’s heritage is not just relics of the past but blueprints for the future. By protecting and monetising these sites, the nation can reclaim its cultural narrative, spur economic growth, and stand tall among African peers. The time for action is now, before the echoes of history fade into silence.

Embark on a thrilling journey through Africa’s rich tourism, timeless traditions, and breathtaking landscapes. Our stories at Rex Clarke Adventures ignite wanderlust and celebrate Africa’s cultural heartbeat. Dive into our blog for unforgettable tales of discovery!

Join us in preserving Nigeria’s cultural legacy and showcasing its tourism treasures for future generations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) And Answers

What are Nigeria’s UNESCO World Heritage Sites?

Nigeria has two: the Sukur Cultural Landscape in Adamawa, known for its ancient iron industry and terraced fields, and the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove in Osun, a sacred forest with Yoruba shrines and sculptures.

Why is heritage preservation important in Nigeria?

It safeguards cultural identity, promotes education, boosts tourism revenue, creates jobs, and protects biodiversity, while preventing looting or development.

How does Nigeria compare to other African countries in heritage preservation?

Nigeria lags with only two UNESCO sites and underfunding, unlike Ethiopia (11 sites) or South Africa (10 sites), which integrate heritage into tourism and national policies more effectively.

What can the Nigerian government do to better preserve heritage sites?

Update laws, increase funding, engage communities, promote digital tools, enforce anti-looting measures, and develop sustainable tourism strategies.

How can heritage sites be monetised sustainably?

Through entrance fees, guided tours, festivals, craft sales, and ecotourism, we ensure benefits reach local communities without compromising site integrity.