The Nigerian Academy for Cultural Studies (NACUS) is a newly established institution by the federal government of Nigeria, aimed at providing specialized training for individuals interested in advancing studies and promoting the rich cultural heritage and history of Nigeria. The information was shared by Biodun Ajiboye, who currently serves as the executive secretary of the National Institute for Cultural Orientation (NICO). The statement was made public on May 11, 2024, by his media aide, Caleb Nor.
Mr. Ajiboye stated that the purpose of this initiative was to promote a revival of cultural expression. He declared that the specialized academy would serve as the foremost institution for cultural Education in the country. The institute was confirmed to be approved by the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) with full accreditation to offer the Cultural Administration program, resulting in the attainment of the National Diploma. He stated that the postgraduate diploma program is connected to the university known as Nasarawa State University, located in Keffi.
Efforts are being made to raise awareness to guarantee employability.
Those who have received a diploma can now pursue further education in cultural studies by obtaining certification through the accreditation and affiliation offered. This allows them to seamlessly transition from the Academy’s Postgraduate Diploma in Cultural Administration to enroll in a Master’s degree program, he explained. The Minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musawa, announced that the institution will have campuses in Abuja, as well as the Northern, Southern, and Eastern regions of Nigeria, he revealed.
More so, Mr. Ajiboye mentioned that efforts are being made to raise awareness among the head of service of the federation in order to guarantee that certificates from the academy are suitable for employment within the civil service. He observed that the certificates would be valid for a variety of recipients, including cultural workers, business owners, hotels, and tourism companies. Mr. Ajiboye highlighted the transformation of the NICO training school into a prestigious higher institution dedicated to cultural education and training.
Cultural identity is needed for a nation to achieve national identity.
This shift signifies President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to acknowledging the importance of Culture through his Renewed Hope Agenda. He noted that the administration had recognized the importance of cultural revival and planned to prioritize it in their policy-making decisions. It is essential for the Educational System to include sufficient cultural content at all levels, from primary to tertiary education, in order to reflect the values and diversity of the nation. The key is to let go of the foreign cultural influences they have absorbed and truly embrace their own cultural roots.
Only then will they understand the significance of their inherent cultural traits. By embracing these necessities, they will be able to cultivate a strong sense of uniqueness as a community, leading to the development of a distinct cultural identity, he remarked. Mr Ajiboye believes that cultural identity is essential for a nation to achieve a sense of national identity. The inaugural cultural education centre known as NACUS represents an innovative and courageous initiative introduced by the Tinubu government.
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It has been officially announced that the government of Nigeria will start recognizing culture as a significant aspect in the lives of Nigerians, following the authorization of the National Board for Technical Education (NBTE) and approval from the Federal Ministry of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, he stated. Mr. Ajiboye emphasized the significance of the institution’s rebranding under the leadership of Tinubu. This initiative aims to empower Nigerian youth by enhancing their skills and visibility in the realms of entertainment and fintech. He mentioned that this would guarantee the generation of employment opportunities stemming from the country’s rich cultural assets.