U.S. Consulate launches Innovative Engagement Space at Lagos Museum

June 15, 2022

United States Government has launched the U.S. Public Diplomacy Engagement Space at the National Museum in Lagos.

The Engagement Space was launched on Monday by the Acting U.S. Consul General, James Suor, Director-General of the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, Prof. Abba Tijani, and Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Dr. Aina Ayoola.

Speaking at the event, Suor said the opening was another innovative project of the United States Government in Nigeria that will facilitate learning in an engaging environment for students.

“This modern educational space will stimulate curiosity in the minds of children, support learning, facilitate reflection, and promote common ideals between the United States and Nigeria.”

“The space will also promote shared values of democracy and encourage robust people-to-people ties,” Suor said.

He further extolled Pearl Recycling, a non-profit waste recycling organisation founded by Olamide Ayeni-Babajide, an alumna of the U.S. government-sponsored TechWomen program, for working with the U.S. Consulate to create the innovative space.

He added that the U.S. government-funded programs have been of immense benefit to the people of Nigeria, boosting intellectual and cross-cultural capital, and have also become catalysts for professional alumni networks that help address global challenges.

Suor noted that the recent upgrade of the Old Residency Museum Archive in Calabar, the Cross River State capital with a digital conferencing facility and open space for educational events and the newly opened learning space at the National Museum in Lagos, were important additions to the ongoing efforts of the U.S. government to support Nigerian museums and the preservation of Nigerian cultural heritage.

“Since the inception of the Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation program, Nigeria has received 10 grants worth $1 million with projects spread across the country, and these preservation projects benefit both future generations and the growth of the tourism industry,” Suor added.

In his remarks, Prof. Tijani applauded the United States Government’s commitment to empowering young people through innovative learning spaces and preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage.

Tijani said: “This space is a world-class space and will provide people the opportunity to engage and learn, and also visit the newly renovated permanent exhibition at the national museum where we keep the cultural artifacts for posterity.”

On his part, the Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Youth and Social Development, Dr. Aina Ayoola, commended the U.S. government for its continuing partnership with Nigeria in providing opportunities for children to explore their environment as part of a holistic educational experience.

The Public Diplomacy Engagement Space is funded through the public diplomacy grant of the U.S. Consulate General Lagos, which is expected to bring more youths to the Lagos Museum to learn, research, and share ideas.