Tinubu hails NCMM DG for making TIME100 Art list

President Bola Tinubu has praised the Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Olugbile Holloway, for being honored by TIME100 Art list, which spotlights the 100 most influential people shaping the future of art. The inclusion of Holloway in the list recognizes the work of the commission in restoring Nigeria's cultural treasures and revitalizing institutions tasked with their preservation.

According to a statement by President Tinubu's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the President lauded Holloway's efforts in returning stolen Nigerian artifacts and enhancing the country's cultural institutions. Since joining the commission in March 2024, Holloway has been working with the Oba of Benin, Oba Ewuare II, to create a framework for retrieving, conserving, and exhibiting returned Benin artifacts.

The agreement has bolstered Nigeria's position in discussions with foreign governments, universities, and museums. Under Holloway's leadership, the commission has successfully retrieved and legally transferred numerous Benin Bronzes, including 119 from the Netherlands and 116 from the University of Cambridge. Recently, 18 Benin Bronzes and four Ikom monoliths were returned from Switzerland.

Tinubu also commended the commission for launching the country's first digital museum of antiquities, featuring over 200 objects from the National Museum, Lagos, which are now accessible online via an immersive platform. The President highlighted the renovation of the National Museum, Lagos, which now boasts upgraded galleries, contemporary display systems, and improved facilities for safeguarding and showcasing Nigeria's cultural heritage.

The President's office described the return of Nigeria's cultural property as a crucial step towards historical justice and the restoration of dignity and memory for the communities from which the objects were stolen. The statement emphasized Holloway's diplomatic skills and institutional leadership in driving the commission's success, while urging continued efforts to recover Nigeria's cultural heritage, enhance museums nationwide, and make the nation's history more accessible to young citizens.