The National Commission for Museums and Monuments has listed the ancient Dufuna canoe and Lugard’s Footbridge as two of Nigeria’s most important heritage sites.
The commission said both sites reflect key phases in Nigeria’s history, from prehistoric innovation to the colonial era.
The Dufuna canoe, discovered in 1987 near the village of Dufuna in Yobe State, is regarded as the oldest known boat in Africa and the second oldest in the world.
Radiocarbon dating places the canoe at about 8,000 years old, showing that advanced boat-making and fishing activities existed in the region thousands of years ago.
According to the commission, the canoe offers rare insight into early human settlement, transport, and trade along the Komadugu Gana River and surrounding communities.
It described the artefact as a national and global treasure that strengthens Nigeria’s place in discussions on world archaeology and early technology.
Lugard’s Footbridge, now located at Gamji Gate in Kaduna, was originally built in Zungeru during the colonial period.
The bridge was moved to Kaduna in 1954 and was declared a national historic monument in 1956 under the Antiquities Ordinance.
The commission noted that the bridge is closely linked with Lord Lugard, the British colonial administrator who oversaw the 1914 amalgamation of the Northern and Southern Protectorates.
It said the structure serves as a physical reminder of Nigeria’s colonial past and the early administrative history of the country.
By highlighting both sites, the National Museum aims to raise public awareness, encourage domestic tourism, and push for stronger protection of heritage locations across the country.
The commission also called on federal and state governments, private organisations, and local communities to support preservation efforts and promote responsible visitation.
Cultural experts say greater investment in sites like the Dufuna canoe and Lugard’s Footbridge could boost education, research, and cultural pride.
They believe that properly conserved and publicised heritage assets can attract visitors from within and outside Nigeria and contribute to economic growth.
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National Museum names Dufuna canoe, Lugard Bridge top heritage sites
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