In a major move towards preserving West Africa’s industrial history, experts from the British Museum and the University of Oxford have visited the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) Legacy Museum to establish a framework for international conservation and restoration.

According to a statement, the delegation, led by Oxford anthropologist Professor Paul Bagu, toured the museum’s historic grounds in Lagos to assess the condition of Nigeria’s colonial-era transport assets and explore potential partnerships.

Assessing the “Old Running Shed”
During the visit, the team conducted an extensive walkthrough of the Old Running Shed, a vital section of the museum that houses a collection of aging locomotives and vintage coaches.

Professor Bagu highlighted the site as a “valuable repository” of both industrial and cultural significance.

“There is significant potential for collaboration in areas such as conservation, restoration, and knowledge exchange to ensure these assets are preserved for future generations,” Bagu stated.

A Shared History: From Freetown to Lagos
The discussions centered heavily on the deep historical ties between Britain and Nigeria’s railway development. The experts identified several key areas for growth:

Restoration Projects: Utilizing international expertise to repair and maintain historic engines.

The “Royal” Connection: A focal point of the visit was the historic coach used by Queen Elizabeth II during her tour of Nigeria, serving as a symbol of the shared heritage between the two nations.

Community Engagement: Bagu cited the success of railway heritage initiatives in Freetown, Sierra Leone, where local enthusiasts played a pivotal role in museum sustainability. He urged Nigerian stakeholders to adopt a similar model of local commitment.

Vision for a Leading Heritage Hub
Mr. Taye Olaniyi, President of the Legacy Museum Railway Compound, welcomed the international delegation, noting that such partnerships are essential to the museum’s goal of becoming Africa’s premier railway heritage destination.

The visit also honored the contributions of Mr. Nate Adediron, a retired director who has been instrumental in maintaining the museum’s collection.

“This engagement signifies a shift towards globalizing the preservation of Nigeria’s infrastructure history. By leveraging international academic and curatorial expertise, the NRC Legacy Museum aims to transform from a local archive into a world-class cultural landmark.”