Museums and Development in Africa

Abstract

The theme of this paper is centred on museums as veritable tools for national unity and development in Africa. It argued rather dispassionately that after several decades of economic development in Africa, it is clear that cultural parameters and processes are as important as economic aspects of the evolution of African societies. Besides appraising the objectives of museums in Nigeria, it also critically looked at museums and scientific/ technological development in Africa. The paper which relied overwhelmingly on secondary methods of data collection, revealed that museums are avenues through which the cultural and natural resources of a nation as well as its people's abilities and attitudes, in the presence of this institution, can be mobilized to achieve the desired development goals. It however, recommended that African peoples should utilize the resources and methods of science and technology critically and intelligently, if they are to overcome their backwardness in these areas.