The National Troupe of Nigeria (NTN) and the African School of Economics (ASE) have signed a groundbreaking Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing African heritage and promoting growth in the arts and creative economy.
The agreement, signed by NTN Artistic Director/CEO, Hajja Kaltume Bulama Gana, ASE Registrar Mrs. Emi-Fowowe Ogunboye, and Director of Arts, Aisha Aliyu Bima, outlines a partnership to foster cultural exchange, joint research, academic workshops, as well as capacity-building projects.
A key initiative under this partnership is the creation of a National Dance and Music Archive, designed to document and preserve both traditional and contemporary musical instruments and dance forms from all six geopolitical zones of Nigeria. The archive will encompass digital and physical materials, offering a comprehensive record of Nigeria’s diverse ethnic expressions and further fostering a deeper connection to cultural heritage for artists, researchers, and communities.
This collaboration seeks to bridge the gap between culture and academia, providing a platform for talent development and sustainable cultural growth. It also aims to contribute to a more nuanced understanding of African identity, empowering local communities to engage with their heritage.
Hajja Kaltume Bulama Gana emphasized the MoU as a critical step toward global recognition for African culture. Mrs. Emi-Fowowe Ogunboye highlighted its potential to promote artistic exchange and foster sustainable cultural development.
ASE, founded by Prof. Leonard Wantchekon, is a Pan-African institution that promotes the arts and history through scholarly inquiry. The NTN, as Nigeria’s premier institution for preserving cultural heritage through the performing arts, perfectly complements ASE’s mission. This partnership is a research-driven initiative with the potential to serve as a model for similar projects across Africa, showcasing the continent’s rich cultural heritage to the world.
