A transformative step toward preserving Nigeria’s heritage unfolds as the Federal Government prepares to launch the Nigerian Academy for Cultural Studies (NACUS), a specialized monotechnic slated to begin academic activities in September 2025.
This groundbreaking institution, operating under the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO) within the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, Tourism, and the Creative Economy, will establish pilot campuses in Lagos, Cross River, Ogbomosho, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. NACUS aims to institutionalize cultural knowledge, fostering a renewed sense of identity through comprehensive academic and professional training programs designed to resonate both locally and globally.
Caleb Nor, media assistant to NICO’s executive secretary, shared details of the initiative in a Thursday statement, highlighting the academy’s commitment to revitalizing Nigeria’s cultural landscape. NACUS seeks to instill pride by equipping students with the tools to understand, promote, and preserve the nation’s diverse traditions.
The institution emerges as a strategic response to decades of cultural erosion, positioning education as the cornerstone of sustainable development rooted in indigenous values.
Otunba Biodun Ajibola, NICO’s Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, provided insight into the academy’s robust framework, noting that its curriculum has earned approval from the National Board for Technical Education. NACUS has also finalized its corporate registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission, ensuring a solid operational base. The institution will confer National Diplomas in Cultural Administration Resource Management and Postgraduate Diplomas in Cultural Administration, credentials crafted to enhance graduates’ career prospects, support civil service advancements, and open doors to opportunities domestically and abroad.
Ajibola underscored the vital connection between cultural awareness and national progress, pointing to nations like Japan, China, and Korea, where cultural grounding has driven economic and social success. He attributed part of Africa’s developmental hurdles to the lingering impact of cultural imperialism, a challenge NACUS aims to address through a curriculum that celebrates Nigeria’s heritage while engaging global perspectives. This approach seeks to affirm the enduring relevance of Nigerian traditions, dispelling notions of inferiority.
The academy’s programs cater to a broad audience, including cultural officers, theater artists, hospitality professionals, filmmakers, and international students eager to explore Nigeria’s cultural wealth. A distinctive feature allows graduates to serve as cultural officers in Nigerian embassies worldwide, amplifying the nation’s heritage on a global stage. NACUS also introduces pioneering courses like Cultural Technology, which harnesses indigenous methods to utilize natural resources, and Cultural Pharmacology, which taps Nigeria’s botanical riches to develop medicinal products, potentially revolutionizing health and industry.
Support for the initiative spans the nation, reflecting its widespread appeal. The Cross River State Government in the South-South region has donated a fully equipped facility to house the academy’s regional campus, signaling a strong commitment to cultural preservation. Likewise, in the South-West, the Soun of Ogbomosho, His Imperial Majesty, Oba Ghandi Afolabi Olaoye, has provided a building for the Ogbomosho campus. The monarch praised the Federal Government’s vision, describing NACUS as a vital hub for cultural learning, unity, and national identity.
Oba Olaoye’s endorsement emphasizes the academy’s potential to foster cohesion and progress through shared heritage. The enthusiastic backing from regional leaders and communities underscores a collective dedication to NACUS’s mission, enhancing its capacity to transform Nigeria’s cultural narrative.
As September 2025 approaches, NACUS stands as a powerful symbol of Nigeria’s commitment to cultural renewal through education. By empowering a new generation to champion their heritage, the Federal Government lays the foundation for a future where cultural pride fuels sustainable growth. With its forward-thinking curriculum, strategic alliances, and nationwide support, NACUS is poised to redefine Nigeria’s cultural identity, ensuring its traditions thrive both at home and abroad.
