Museums and Development in Africa

Abstract

The theme of this paper is centred on museums as veritable tools fornational unity and development in Africa. It argued ratherdispassionately that after several decades of economic development inAfrica, it is clear that cultural parameters and processes are as important aseconomic 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 reliedoverwhelmingly on secondary methods of data collection, revealed thatmuseums are avenues through which the cultural and natural resources ofa 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 resourcesand methods of science and technology critically and intelligently, if they areto overcome their backwardness in these areas.