According to a statement signed on Wednesday by the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, the presidential intervention reflects the administration’s commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s cultural heritage while ensuring that all matters are resolved through dialogue, mutual respect, and adherence to constitutional provisions.
The committee, chaired by the Minister of Art, Culture, Tourism and Creative Economy, Barrister Hannatu Musa Musawa, comprises key national and international stakeholders. Its composition, the statement noted, highlights President Tinubu’s recognition of the complex historical, cultural, and diplomatic dimensions of the issue.
Members include representatives of the Presidency, the Edo State Government, the Palace of the Oba of Benin, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the German and French embassies, the National Council for Arts and Culture, the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, and the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA), among others.
The committee has been tasked with conducting extensive consultations with relevant stakeholders, undertaking detailed fact-finding on all pertinent issues, and formulating actionable recommendations that balance Nigeria’s cultural sovereignty with international partnerships and diplomatic considerations.
In her remarks, Musawa described the presidential directive as a demonstration of the government’s dedication to preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage through peaceful means and within established legal frameworks. She emphasized that cultural institutions are pillars of national identity and must be protected through collaboration that respects both traditional custodianship and modern institutional structures.
The committee is expected to submit its findings and recommendations directly to President Tinubu to facilitate swift implementation of sustainable solutions that uphold the integrity of Nigeria’s cultural ecosystem.
The federal government also reaffirmed that while the constitution guarantees fundamental freedoms, it equally demands responsibility in their exercise. It urged all stakeholders to maintain peace and cooperate fully with the committee as it carries out its mandate, stressing that Nigeria’s cultural spaces and artifacts are a shared inheritance deserving of protection under both moral and legal standards.
