Periodic Report Nigeria

Nigeria as a state party to the convention on ‘The Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions’ has endeavoured to implement the convention by providing necessary administrative legal and conducive environment for achieving the aims of the Convention both by the government agencies and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). This she has done by putting in place a Cultural Policy that aims at protecting and promoting the diversity of the nation’s cultural expressions.

Administratively, she has 7 government agencies under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Culture, each with statutory responsibilities covering the different aspects of protection and promotion of cultural diversity. They are involved in the creation, production, distribution/dissemination and participating enjoyment of the diverse Nigeria cultures.

There are several non-governmental agencies, guilds and associations for the various groups of cultural workers and these bodies are given government recognition and assistance to a large extent.

Nigeria has bilateral and multilateral relationships with several countries which enhances the exportation and promotion of her cultural diversity. Internally, government policies are tilted towards the promotion of the people’s culture. The Culture Sector is working in collaboration with Tourism, Information and Education Sectors to actualise these policies. However, there is room for improvement. The culture sector needs to work harder with the Communication Sector, the Health Sector, and the nation’s Economic Planning Ministry to make more impact.

The implementation of this Convention is also hampered by poor funding. The government recently had a meeting on this issue and very soon the Endowment for the Arts will be established. It is expected that this endowment will solve some financial problems being encountered now.

The establishment of Cultural Industries in the state is expected to go a long way in encouraging the preservation of craft production and some other indigenous trade.

The effect of globalisation/westernisation on the Nigerian youth needs not be over emphasised. The rapacious effect of globalisation is impacting on the dress culture, language, culinary habit and even modern day mannerism and fads of the burgeoning population of Nigerian youths. These are the great challenges which the country must pay attention to i.e. the youths deserve more attention if the diversity of her culture is to be protected and promoted.