THE LEGAL REGIME FOR THE PROTECTION OF CULTURAL PROPERTY IN NIGERIA

Abstract

From time immemorial, cultural property have always attracted the attention of mankind. This rather strange attraction stems from the beauty and/or significance of the cultural object. Cultural property have been used as objects of trade by some people while others, however, have used them as gift items. In war period, they are always looted or taken as booties and sometimes used as payments for troops by the victorious side. They are alsodestroyed by troops during warfare as a way of humiliating and weakening the moral of their enemies. In a bid to preserve cultural heritage of mankind from destruction and illicit trade, nations of the world have come up with Conventions, Treaties and/orlegislations to ensure that they are protected. The extant law on the protection of cultural property in Nigeria is the National Commission for Museums and Monuments Act,1979. This paper aims at appraising the legal regime for the protection of cultural property in Nigeria. It concludes that there is absolute need for preservation and protection of her cultural property for the benefit of prosperity.