FUNCTIONS OF NCMM

The functions of the Commission include the Collection, Documentation, Conservation and Preservation and Management of antiquities. It also includes the presentation of such objects to the general public for purposes of Education, Enlightenment and Entertainment.

This makes it clear the purpose of the Commission as a Research and Educational Institution, in accordance with the International Council of Museums (ICOM) and International Council of Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS) statutes and as specified in the enabling Act of the Commission which are as follows:

• To organize and stimulate research, train and disseminate special education and cultural knowledge that will promote and propagate Nigerian cultural heritage and Museum development.
• To establish and maintain a stable museum system in Nigeria, which will ensure the preservation of the nation’s tangible and intangible heritage.
• To standardize and harmonize the administration of museums, monuments, sites and objects of national and cultural significance in Nigeria.
• To ensure the proper conservation, protection and preservation of Nigerian natural and cultural heritage at home and abroad.
• To promote professionalism and efficient management of the Nigerian cultural and natural heritage.
• To establish the development of museum practices for the preservation, interpretation and promotion of the Nigerian cultural and natural properties, suitable for the local environment and in accordance with the established and internationally acceptable professional standards.
• To promote and disseminate scientific research on knowledge of the various aspects of the Nigerian cultural and natural heritage.
• To use its facilities and activities for educational and cultural purposes aimed at promoting national development and suitable cultural attitudes.
• To utilize the museum and the training institutions to appreciate the similarities in our different cultures through active and cooperative historical, archaeological and ethnographic researches so that through cultural and popular educational integration, pride and identity would be built and internalized within the context of our shared heritage.
• To reposition the Museum system so as to be actively engaged in heritage conservation and product development with adaptive creation of cultural industries in partnership with States, Local Governments and Private sector through the establishment of Community and Eco-Museums as arenas for job creation, youth empowerment and poverty alleviation.
• To standardize and harmonize the administration of private museums in Nigeria.

ROLES OF NCMM

One of the Commission’s mandates is the management of museum collections, including the formation and promotion of museum policies, ethics and practices. These are achieved through acquisition of cultural objects, their documentation, preservation, conservation, storage, interpretation and display through exhibitions, publications and public programs as well as the establishment of new museums and maintenance of existing ones.

1. Documentation: This is simply the accurate record keeping of all museum collections which involves receiving of objects into the museum, identification of objects, photography, quarantining, conservation, storage and general record keeping of the collections, development of comprehensive information of objects, keeping records of movement of objects from the point of entry to the final stage which could be in storage, exhibition or on loan.
2. Objects Acquisition: The museum is fundamentally tasked with acquiring objects and this it does through various means such as outright purchase from verified vendors, as loans, through bequests, gifts, seizures and archaeological excavations. Objects once acquired are formally accepted or accessioned into the museum’s collections.
3. Curatorial Services: This is a vital function performed by the Commission. It is all encompassing and touches every aspect of management and coordinating activities that makes the museum viable. It builds up collections; using the object to communicate intellectual/ visceral pleasure to the audience and acts as a powerful agent of transformation. It involves the planning, executing and liaison services carried out by the curator in relation with the objects and the entire services rendered to the society. The curatorial work therefore requires research and field work to collect the necessary data for the successful presentation of any exhibition. The Commission in its efforts to remain relevant in society actively collaborates with many organizations, foreign and national, to further its purposes of protecting and conserving our cultural heritage. Organizations such as AFRICOM (Committee of African Museums), UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization), MAN (Museum Association of Nigeria), ICOM (International Council of Museums). The Museum Department has public private partnership programs with private organizations and local communities.
4. Exhibition: This is one of the core functions of the Museum. It is the display of our rich cultural heritage in a powerful and meaningful manner. It involves the conceptualization of exhibition, selection of the theme and objects, construction of exhibition stands, pedestals, panels, drawing exhibition floor/plans layout and packaging of exhibition objects. The Commission has also worked with many communities to help in preserving their intangible heritage such as local festivals and events by creating avenues for such cultural display.
5. Conservation: The conservation and restoration of cultural heritage focuses on the protection and care of tangible cultural heritage and the Commission as part of its mandate, has carried out conservation works, some of which include:

• The Commission manages and converses all objects in the Central Bank of Nigeria Currency Museum. The is carried about at least quarterly by the Commission’s professional conservators and it involves assessment of the state of objects, examine, preserve and conserve the collections in the Currency Museum.
• Conservation activity is also carried on all objects for exhibition for example the objects to be displayed in the “Durbi Takushayi Of Katsina And Connections with Her Neighbours”
• General and regular conservation of objects in storage and on display in all museum outstations nationwide.
• Inspection and assessment of outstations with the aim to identify stations with heavy infestations of pests and termites.