An Assessment of Potential Heritage Sites in Nigeria

Abstract

Heritage sites have become a global phenomenon hence the global attention on their conservation for posterity. The research assessed the potential heritage sites in Nigeria to illuminate all concerned. The place of heritage and the sites were highlighted, followed by a brief on the administration of World Heritage Sites. The nomination process of enlistment for the inscription of sites and the existing heritage sites in Nigeria from the National Commission for Museums and Monument (NCMM) register that regulates the establishment and maintenance of heritage sites in Nigeria were discussed. The state of heritage sites in Nigeria was examined to x-ray potential sites for enlistment for UNESCO inscription. Findings show that out of the numerous heritage sites in the 774 local government areas in the Six geopolitical zones in the country, only 30 were registered with NCMM, only two have gained UNESCO inscription, while 14 of the remaining 28 are in the UNESCO tentative list; also, first and second 6 submissions were in 1995 and 2007, one in 2018 and 2020 respectively at a rate of two submissions per two years. The research concluded that a tiny percentage of tapped potential heritage sites and slow progress of improvement by the NCMM to develop the potential of many untapped sites. The research is thus recommended to get at least one heritage site per five local government areas enlisted and inscribed into the UNESCO World Heritage Site.