Nigeria Expresses Concern Over Low Number Of World Heritage Sites

Abuja, Nigeria – The Nigerian Federal Government has voiced deep concern over the limited representation of its rich cultural heritage on UNESCO’s World Heritage list.

This concern was highlighted at a recent event celebrating a Netherlands Fund-In-Trust-supported project aimed at protecting the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove.

Currently, only two Nigerian sites – the Sukur Cultural Landscape (listed in 1999) and the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove (listed in 2005) – feature on the prestigious list, according to UNESCO records.

Minister of Arts, Culture and Tourism Hannatu Musa Musawa described this number as “too minimal and unacceptable” for a nation with such diverse cultural expressions.

She pledged to collaborate with UNESCO to significantly increase Nigeria’s representation on the World Heritage list within the next few years.

Echoing the Minister’s sentiments, the Head of Office, UNESCO Abuja Regional Office, Mr Abdourahamane Diallo, promised to actively promote the enlistment of new sites and enhance the protection and conservation of existing ones.

He praised the collaborative efforts between the UNESCO Abuja office and Nigerian cultural stakeholders, including CSOs like TechSAH and the People and Culture Protection Initiative.

Dr. Lateef Olagunju, Secretary-General of the National Commission for UNESCO, Nigeria, emphasised the vital role of cultural heritage in connecting the nation to its past and future, highlighting the event’s significance in addressing cultural dynamics and development.

Mr. Chinedu Gbulie, Project Lead at TechSAH, a key partner in the Osun-Osogbo Sacred Grove protection project, expressed gratitude for UNESCO’s investment in Nigeria’s cultural sector.

He detailed TechSAH’s efforts in exploring preservation strategies and capacity building for security agencies to prevent the illicit movement of cultural artefacts out of the country.

The project, he said, has improved the ability of security agencies to track and prevent the illegal export of cultural heritage.

The event underscored the urgent need for increased efforts to identify, protect, and promote Nigeria’s vast cultural wealth, ensuring its rightful place on the global stage.