Did you know that the first museum to be established in Nigeria is the Esie museum in Kwara state?

When you want to practically learn about the past, a museum is one place you can reliably count on for its rich preservation of historical facts. A museum is an institution that cares for a collection of artifacts and other objects of artistic, cultural, historical, or scientific importance. Many public museums make these items available for public viewing through exhibits that may be permanent or temporary.

Below are 10 popular museums in Nigeria worth visiting:

1️⃣ The Esie Museum is situated in the sleepy Igbomina town of Esie, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State. It is the first museum established in Nigeria in 1945 and houses one of the greatest treasures ever bequeathed to mankind, Esie Stone. The museum once housed over one thousand tombstone figures or images representing human beings. The museum has both ancient and modern galleries. The total number of artifacts is approximately 2000. In the new gallery, there are other items besides the ancient stones. The museum is also reputed to have the largest collection of soapstone images in the world. In modern times, it has been the center of religious activities and hosts a festival in the month of April every year. Popular myth had it that in years back the residents of the town committed a grave offence and thunderstruck turned the people into stones.

2️⃣ The National Museum, Lagos, founded in 1957 and deservedly considered as one of the best n Nigeria. There is a rich collection of art, archaeological excavations and exhibits of ethnography. Here you can look at ancient monuments, statues and carvings.

3️⃣ The Jos Museum, Jos, began functioning in 1952. It is located not far from the zoo in the heart of the city. The Jos museum has exhibits dating back to 500 B.C. There are also exhibitions with mining materials, preserved from old times. Visitors are afforded the opportunity to learn a lot about the prehistoric period in Nigeria.

4️⃣ The National War Museum, Umuahia in Abia state was established in 1985 and is nominated as one of the 7 wonders for tourists in Nigeria. It displays galleries dedicated to the Civil War and the armed forces. There are many Nigerian weapons and tools that are connected to the Niger Delta and other clashes. You will be amazed to see bombs and other items used by these militants at the time. Visitors by its exhibits are reminded of the evils of war on Nigeria's reputation and in the world.

5️⃣ The National Museum, Benin City in Edo state is in the center of the city, King’s square, to be precise. The museum was founded in 1973 and in it you will see original works that will evoke genuine admiration such as bronze sculptures, terracotta products and cast iron reminiscent of the times of the ancient Benin Empire.

6️⃣ The National Museum, Kaduna was established in 1975. In it you will see and learn more about interesting Nigerian ethnographic and archeological artifacts such as statuettes made of bronze and terracotta. Also, you will appreciate the atmosphere of the traditional village of artisans located directly in the museum.

7️⃣ The Calabar Old Residency Museum, a one-storey building built in 1884. The building was not built in Nigeria. Several parts were brought to the country through Morocco from Scotland. Initially, it served as the headquarters of the administration of colonial authorities and in it you will find an abundance of historical knowledge about the colonial and pre-colonial times in Nigeria. This is especially true for the sale of palm oil. Also, this building touches the issue of the slave trade relics and records are safely protected so that museum guests can look at them for many more years to come.

8️⃣ The Gidan Makama Museum, Kano, is a very important historical monument of Nigeria. The building in which it is located was built in the 15th century. After the British took over in the beginning of the last century, the building served as the office of colonial administration and was later divided into three parts: a museum, a school, and an administration office. In it you will find 11 galleries with exhibits that depict the culture and history of Kano. Visitors will also learn a lot about its architecture, the period of civil war, religion and music, religious, political, economical, crafts, agricultural sector and other aspects of people's lives at this museum.

9️⃣ The Badagry Heritage Museum, Badagry, Lagos, a one-storey building was erected in 1863. It is one museum where all relics are reliably preserved. The documentation is operated with special care. Visitors will find out interesting details about the period of the slave trade as well as learn a lot about the culture, history of the inhabitants of Badagry, who lived near the coast. In the museum are eight galleries, names of which correspond to the periods of the slave trade.

🔟 The Oron Museum, Oron (Idua), Akwa Ibom, houses the oldest exhibits on the continent. There are also unique relics of the Civil War. One of them is Ojukwu’s bunker. Initially, the foundation was held in 1958-1959. During the war, the museum was plundered so that for a while it did not fulfill its cultural function. The institution was rebuilt in 1975. Today you can see restored figures of wood which serve as reminders of the culture of the local population, artisans' products, ethnographic finds.

Sources: Wikipedia | Legit

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