The National Museum Lagos, located in Onikan, has undergone a comprehensive refurbishment and upgrade, completed through a collaboration between the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) and IHS Nigeria, a leading communications infrastructure company.
The project, sponsored by IHS Nigeria, was officially commissioned on April 11, 2026, by the Honourable Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa. It addresses years of neglect, restoring the museum’s main gallery and facilities after more than two decades of decline.
Key improvements include modern display systems, enhanced lighting, air conditioning, a solar inverter for reliable power, and upgraded exhibition spaces. The refurbished permanent gallery now features the compelling exhibition “Echoes of the Past: A Timeline of Antiquities in Nigeria,” which presents Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage through artifacts, statuary, carvings, and ethnographic exhibits in a more immersive and accessible manner.
Director-General of the NCMM, Olugbile Holloway, described the renovation as a significant step in repositioning the museum as a unifying national institution that preserves history while making it relevant for education, tourism, and cultural pride. The partnership also supports broader digitization efforts, including 3D scanning of artifacts and the launch of Nigeria’s first digital museum of antiquities, allowing virtual access to collections.
IHS Nigeria’s Senior Vice President and Chief Corporate Services Officer, Dapo Otunla, highlighted the initiative as an example of private sector contribution to national heritage beyond core business operations. Minister Musawa praised the public-private partnership model for its efficiency and called on Nigerians and international visitors to explore the renewed facility, noting its potential to boost tourism and the creative economy.
The refurbishment is viewed as a milestone in heritage preservation, demonstrating how targeted corporate support can revive public cultural institutions and ensure Nigeria’s historical treasures are protected and celebrated for future generations. The museum is now open to the public with improved visitor experience.
