A Critique of the Nigerian Legal Framework for the Protection of Cultural Goods from Exportation Abuse

Cultural goods are priced possessions. They have countries or places of origin. They relate to people's past and reflect their identity. Political instability, socioeconomic challenges as well as demands for items of arts amongst others, have motivated the exportation of cultural goods from their places of origin, which include both developing and developed nations even though the developing ones are far more affected. Nigeria as a country has its own share of the challenges that are presented by illegal exportation of her cultural patrimony. It is therefore needful to have appropriate mechanisms put in place to ensure that these irreplaceable goods are not lost. This paper critiques the nigerian legal framework for the protection of her cultural goods from illicit exportation. It further analyses and considers Nigeria's pre and post independence legislation including the prevailing National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) Act and their adequacy in this regard. The paper thereafter makes necessary recommendations for a way forward towards ensuring that an appropriate legal framework is installed to safeguard the Nigerian cultural goods against abuse by way of uncontrolled handling and exportation