The Center for Research Information and Media Development (CRIMMD) has officially opened its new, larger facility in Lagos, Nigeria. This state-of-the-art museum is dedicated to archiving and documenting Nigeria’s rich photo history and artifacts, featuring portraits of the slave trade and its relics, as well as Pre-colonial, colonial, and post-colonial history.
The brainchild of internationally renowned researcher, Dr. James Raphael, who serves as Director General of CRIMMD, the museum’s mission is to document Nigerian history for posterity. The new facility, located at 3 Lekan Ogunyemi Street, Ajao Estate, Lagos State, boasts 13 rooms, each housing different segments of the museum.
According to Dr. Raphael, a multi-award winner with over 300 awards, the museum showcases a vast collection of Nigerian history, including images of protectorate governors, former Governor Generals, Nationalists, indigenous Governor Generals, Regional premiers, and Regional Governors, as well as Military Head of States, Military governors, and key personalities who have shaped the country.
The museum features an impressive array of relics, including West African currency and coins dating back to 1910, bottles of old brands produced in Nigeria from the 1940s, music LPs from 1930, and over 800 records. Visitors can also explore samples of mineral resources in Nigeria, souvenirs from FESTAC 77, Nigeria Railway history, Post and Telecommunication history, and national symbols past and present.
One of the highlights of the museum is its extensive collection of Nigerian currency, showcasing the evolution of currency from shells to cowries, Horse Shoe Manila, and other forms of exchange. The museum also features rare artifacts, including 1900 and 1914 gin bottles used in the riverine areas of Rivers, Cross Rivers Delta, Edo, and Akwa Ibom states in exchange for slaves.
The commissioning of the new facility was attended by notable dignitaries, including Prof. Johnson Bade Falade, Programme Manager, United Nations Habitat in Nigeria, who praised Dr. James Raphael’s vision and commitment to preserving Nigerian history. Prof. Falade acknowledged the support of the German Embassy in Nigeria and CRIMMD’s partnership in preserving Nigerian traditional and modern arts.
Dr. James expressed his vision for the museum, stating, “The highly diverse content of the museum makes it highly interactive, educational, and entertaining for all visitors… It will be highly relevant to academia as well as anthropologists.” The CRIMMD museum is a testament to Dr. James’ dedication to preserving Nigerian history and culture, and it promises to be a valuable resource for generations to come.
