A voice for the neglected heritage
The E-shaped 120 years-old Secretariat Building on 14 Marina Street, Lagos, that once housed key government offices when Lagos was a British colony, wore new look last Wednesday. Though declared
The E-shaped 120 years-old Secretariat Building on 14 Marina Street, Lagos, that once housed key government offices when Lagos was a British colony, wore new look last Wednesday. Though declared a national monument on August 6, 1982, it came alive last week as it hosted the Reimagining Nigerian alternative heritage, an exhibition on monuments and natural history, organised by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) in collaboration with Institut Francais de Recherche en Afrique (IFRA-Nigeria). Lagos culture community had gathered to explore the intricate relationship between monumental heritage and the natural landscapes that define our nation.
A university don, Prof Aderemi Ajala of the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Ibadan, has urged Nigerians to pay adequate attention to the country’s alternative heritage, particularly those with valuable cultural and natural histories hitherto hidden and neglected.
In his paper titled: Alternative Heritage: Uncovering Community Histories and Stories, he called for increased awareness, stronger research culture, better preservation and more community involvement in identifying and promoting alternative heritage. He urged stakeholders to see alternative heritage not as secondary but as essential to uncovering Nigeria’s untold stories and preserving its cultural future.
He described the exhibition’s focus as timely and addressing Nigeria’s heritage conversation, which had been largely dominated by popular artefacts while other heritage forms shaping identity and community memory were often neglected.
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“There are quite a number of other heritages that speak well of our history,” he said.
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According to Ajala, heritage is often classified into cultural and natural heritage, as well as tangible and intangible forms – those that can be physically handled and expressed through knowledge, traditions and lived practices. He, however, noted that the heritage community was increasingly concerned about some other heritages that were not listed among this popular classification.
This category, he said, is now described as alternative heritage that is hidden, marginalised and not commonly recognised, yet deeply significant. “The alternative heritage speak to the value, they speak to the identity, they speak to the history of the people,” he added.
He said that despite its marginalization, alternative heritage offers a broader way of understanding community histories, beyond the conventional museum objects that dominate public attention, adding that such heritage helps to foster inclusivity in heritage management, strengthen community-based history, reclaim indigenous knowledge, empower marginalised groups and encourage innovation.
Ajala noted that alternative heritage support cultural diversity and a stronger sense of identity and belonging, especially at the grassroots where many histories remain undocumented.
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On the major challenges limiting the recognition of alternative heritage in the country, Ajala said: “Some of the challenges include the elitist perception of museums, where many Nigerians feel heritage spaces are only meant for a privileged class and lingering colonial traditions.
“Others are religious sentiments that discourage engagement with cultural objects, poor documentation, marginalisation of intangible heritage, and power dynamics where dominant narratives suppress community-based heritage.”
Curator, National Museum Onikan, Lagos, Mrs. Nkechi Adedeji, urged Nigerians to look beyond the conventional narratives of heritage and to reimagine the diverse stories that our monuments and natural history tell. These structures and environments, she added, are not merely remnants of the past; they are active participants in shaping our identity and understanding of who we are as Nigerians.
In her welcome address, Mrs Adedeji said: “As we move around this exhibition, you will encounter a rich array of monumental treasures each telling a unique story of our architectural ingenuity and cultural evolution. From the iconic Ilojo Bar, Iga Idunganran and CMS Grammar School to the sacred spaces of Shitta-Bey Mosque, Creek Town Church Calabar and Omo-ukwu Temple Abia State. These monuments reflect the dynamic interplay of tradition, religion and modernity, illustrating how our heritage continues to evolve in response to changing times.”
She noted that Nigeria’s landscapes—its lush forests, rivers, geological formation and wildlife are integral to our cultural identity, as they ‘provide not only ecological richness, but also spiritual and historical significance, reminding us of our deep connection to the environment.’
“Let us use this opportunity to foster a deeper appreciation for our alternative heritage and the myriad ways it informs our identity. As we embark on this exploration of Reimagining Nigeria’s Alternative Heritage, I urge you to remember that our monuments and natural history are living narratives, calling upon us to honour and protect them for future generations,” she added.
Director, IFRA-Nigeria, Dr. Pauline Guinard, ………
Among the exhibits on display are collections of butter flies, horse flies, prototype of Nigerian traditional architecture from the Northern part of the country, some solid minerals as well as animals such as lion, tortoise, and antelope.
