Challenges and benefits of achieving authentic inventory and digital documentation of unmovable cultural heritage and archaeological sites in Nigeria

Makinde Olakunle / Victoria Osuagwu

(National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Jos, Nigeria)

The achievement of an authentic inventory, digital documentation and protection of immovable cultural heritage and sites constitutes a significant part of the material wealth of a nation Indeed immovable cultural heritage together with the natural environment contributes to the education and socio-cultural values of the society. It also has significant economic impact as the natural environment represents a basic prerequisite for a prosperous and sustainable tourist industry.
However, in the specific case of Nigeria due to lack of funds absence of equipments and trained personnel, the National Commission for Museums and Monuments is yet to achieve satisfactory inventorisation, documentation and effective monitoring/protection of many listed and yet-to-be-listed immovable cultural heritage properties as well as many archaeological sites spread across the nation.