The National Gallery of Art (NGA) is undertaking strategic reforms, including digitizing and restoring its collection, to enhance access to Nigeria’s rich artistic heritage

The National Gallery of Art (NGA) has announced a series of strategic reforms aimed at preserving and enhancing access to Nigeria’s invaluable artistic heritage.

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Speaking at a news conference in Lagos, the Director-General of NGA, Mr Ahmed Sodangi, outlined the comprehensive plan, which includes the restoration, archiving, cataloguing, and digitisation of the National Art Collection.

Mr Sodangi explained that these reforms are built upon four key pillars, encompassing a review of the NGA’s enabling Act, the implementation of internal reforms such as rebranding, and driving the National Art Renaissance Programme.

This ambitious program seeks to catalogue and digitally archive artworks valued at billions of Naira.

Acknowledging the NGA’s role as custodians of the National Collection, Mr Sodangi emphasized the necessity of continuous training for staff to ensure they are equipped with global best practices in art preservation and management.

He also highlighted the evolving landscape of the Ministry of Arts, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, noting the significant success of the creative industry with limited government interaction.

“So as government, we have to look at ourselves and see how we can come up and not take control. But see how we can partner with the private sector, and the creatives that have built this undeniable industry to where it is today,” Mr Sodangi stated.

A significant challenge identified by the Director-General is the current storage of the National Collection in various states across Nigeria due to the absence of a dedicated national gallery.

He stressed that these artworks are intended for public display. “To give spotlight to the National Collection, we’ve looked at the number of artworks we have, and the works that need serious and urgent attention, and what to do.

And the only way we do that is to catalogue, have a digital database of the National Collection; that will be a starting point of what we hope to achieve,” he elaborated.

Mr Sodangi detailed that the ongoing National Art Renaissance will involve the thorough cataloging, restoration, and valuation of the National Collection.

Collaborations with the Goethe-Institut Nigeria and the Museum of West African Art (MOWAA) are central to this effort, with these institutions currently assisting in the assessment, digital documentation, and conservation of the artworks.

Dr Nadine Siegert, Director of the Goethe-Institut Nigeria, expressed her enthusiasm for the collaboration and the progress achieved, noting the existence of hundreds of masterpieces within the collection that deserve global recognition.

“I think we have already inventoried about 900 or so works. We have photographed about, I think, 400 works,” she revealed, adding that two artworks will be professionally restored and ready for local and international showcasing by July.

Ms Yetunde Odediran, Associate Conservator of MOWAA, emphasized the museum’s primary focus on stabilizing the artworks to ensure their suitability for exhibition and display.

MOWAA will also conduct training programs for NGA staff, equipping them with the necessary skills for the safe handling and transportation of artworks.

“So, we share that knowledge, making sure that they have the right tools, the appropriate procedures, so that they’re able to carry out the project successfully,” Ms Odediran explained.