Overall cultural Policy
One of the aims of the Cultural Policy for Nigeria which was launched in 1988 is to promote creativity, ensure the continuity of traditional skills and their progressive updating to serve modern
developmental needs and Nigeria's contribution to world growth of culture and ideas. The cultural preservation is to be aided by research and documentation. This is done with the establishment of administrative structures and the provision of funds for its implementation. Nigeria has 7 cultural parastatals, each with its statutory responsibilities which are among other things aimed at promoting and preserving the diversity of cultural expressions. They are involved in the different stages of creation, production, distribution/dissemination and participatory enjoyment of the diverse Nigerian cultures.
The government agencies are as follows:
i. National Council for Arts and Culture (NCAC). This agency takes care of crafts, festivals, traditional medicine, sports,
cuisine, fashion and textile.
ii. National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM} takes care of Nigeria's numerous artefacts antiquities and heritage sites. In Nigeria numerous artefacts have been included to the prohibited export list, and as a rule, crafts and artworks to be exported must be certified by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments as being excluded from the list. This is done to prevent illicit exportation of cultural items.
iii. National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN}. This agency defines and monitors policies relating to operations of the Troupe; operate and artistically develop the troupe as a performing baby whose repertoire shall embrace dance, music and drama; guide and give leadership to local efforts in artistic experimentation and strive to ensure that the Troupe is a centre of excellence.
iv. National Gallery of Arts {NGA). This is the repository of artistic creations since the birth of the country as a nation. The gallery also promotes research on arts education and appreciation
v. Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC). This centre came into existence after the Festival of all African Arts (FESTAC) which took place in 1977. The centre till date is a repository for several African Arts and Crafts that were used for the festival as well as the colloquium of the festival.
vi. The National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) is a cultural reorientation institute. This agency is at the fore front of safeguarding Nigerian Culture. The institution for instance organises courses and training for people who are interested in Nigerian languages. This adult education programme is aimed at protecting Nigerian languages.
vii. National Theatre (NT) this organisation takes care of the National symbol of art, the National Theatre which was
built and used for Festival 77, it is a rallying point for Nigerian Artists.
Apart from these Cultural Agencies, The Federal Ministry of Culture works in collaboration with other ministries to protect several aspects of cultural expressions e.g. in collaboration with The Federal Ministry of Education, the teaching of the 3 major Nigerian Languages at primary and secondary school levels has been institutionalised. Every student is expected to learn at least one of the 3 major languages. These languages are lgbo, Hausa and
Yoruba.
In order to ensure the artist benefit and reap the fruits of their labour, government is supporting the fight against piracy with the establishment of The Nigerian Copyright Commission (NCC) to give the copyrights of the artists a better protection. The Federal Government has also commenced the establishment of cultural industries in states of the federation; seven of such industries have been established. The centres are built using the
architecture of the society. The emphasis in each of the centre is based on the predominant trade and handwork of the people in that state. These centres are to be commissioned and handed over to the local community to run. Workshops and trainings are organised for artisans at the centre and there are plans to form cooperatives to enhance funds accessibility and joint marketing strategies are to be evolved.