Nigeria’s Minister of Arts, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, announced at the Federal Executive Council Meeting on Monday, May 13, that the Ministry’s success in pushing for UNESCO’s inscription of Sango Festival Oyo and the multinational nomination of Midwifery: knowledge, skills and practices.
The Sango Festival and Midwifery traditions have now been recognised as integral parts of human cultural heritage, joining five previous Nigerian inscriptions: Ifa Divination System (2008), Oral Heritage of Gelede (2008), Ijele Masquerade (2009), Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival (2016), and Kwagh-hir Theatrical Performance (2019).
This announcement was made at the FEC meeting led by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu while briefing the Council on the progress of the ministry since its establishment in August 2023. Following the 2003 UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage, Musawa stated that the accomplishment was made possible by the Ministry’s relentless efforts and strategic partnerships at the national and international levels.
“The UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity plays a crucial role in safeguarding and promoting cultural diversity worldwide. It helps raise awareness about the significance of intangible cultural heritage, encourages dialogue between communities, fosters respect for cultural expressions, and promotes sustainable development by preserving traditional knowledge and practices,” she stated.
Musawa added that “the inclusion of these two Nigerian cultural elements on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity has transformed them into shared global heritage (products) with enhanced visibility. The 181 State Parties to the 2003 UNESCO Convention for Safeguarding of the Intangible Cultural Heritage are predisposed to visiting Nigeria to enjoy these cultural expressions.”
Minister Musawa said that the Sango Festival and Midwifery Traditions have become recognised as shared global heritage by being added to the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. She noted that the recognition would draw tourists from the 181 State Parties to the UNESCO Convention, promoting tourism in Nigeria and helping to support sustainable national growth and development.
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