Art Dealer Warns of Growing Threat to Nigeria’s Cultural Heritage

On Mar 19, 2025

Nigerian Art dealer and craftsman, Isah Lawan, has raised concerns that Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage is at risk due to waning local interest in traditional arts and crafts.

In an interview with the News Men in Lagos, Lawan warned that this decline threatens the nation’s artistic identity.

With nearly 40 years in the trade, Lawan—who operates at the Eko Hotel and Suites Art and Crafts Centre—expressed disappointment over Nigerians’ diminishing appreciation for their heritage.

“To be sincere with you, I think the expatriates love it more than we Nigerians.”

“When we have about 40 to 50 Europeans that come to the market, you can say about 30 would like to buy artworks.

“But Nigerians, we don’t put much interest in it,” he said.

He attributed the decline in appreciation to a growing cultural disconnect, exacerbated by the removal of traditional history and art education from school curriculums.

Lawan also noted that many households, which once proudly showcased indigenous artworks, have abandoned the practice—often due to religious misconceptions that label these pieces as ‘demonic’ or ‘superstitious.’

Despite this, he emphasized that craftsmen have taken it upon themselves to preserve history by curating and displaying artworks in their stores, representing various Nigerian cultures.

“We don’t want it to just go like that. We want our tourists to inherit the cultural aspects of life we were having before.

“So, we now keep so many artistic works to show our children, for them to know this is so-and-so artwork from so-and-so place,” he said.

Lawan called on stakeholders, particularly the government, for a revival of national festivals such as the 1977 Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC ’77).

He also called for the reintroduction of art excursions for students.

“If we don’t act now, our history will be forgotten,” he warned. The craftsman urged stakeholders to promote cultural education, launch awareness campaigns, and implement supportive policies to safeguard Nigeria’s artistic heritage from decline.

NAN/Oluchi