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As part of plans to expand the landscape of storytelling in the context of Nigeria’s rich cultural, political, and social history, Nigeria’s first digitally-driven museum, The Discovery Museum, recently played host to Mari Pangestu, Managing Director, Development Policy and Partnerships at the World Bank, in a visit the director described as an “incredible sensory experience.”

Launched in July 2021, the museum, a unique intersection between the past, present, and projected future of Africa’s most populous country is an ambitious project of Abuja-based company, The Art Tech District. The privately funded museum located in the heart of the Nation’s Federal Capital leverages cutting-edge technology to deliver Nigeria’s art, history, and culture to the modern world. With the world heading towards a Global Fourth Industrial Revolution and tourism rapidly evolving into one the most lucrative industries, the Art Tech District team, also being cognizant of the country’s large innovative pool and growing disconnect between the people and its complex past, set up the museum with the goal of providing an immersive experience into what it means to be Nigerian and how our past served as a roadmap to who we are now.

Art Tech District founder, Mosope Olaosebikan, its General Manager, Faridah Dikko, and Discovery Museum curator, Amanda Kirby Okoye were on hand to welcome the World Bank leader and her team to the compound. Introducing key members of staff present, Dikko gave a brief overview of Art Tech District, its ethos and goals, before handing over to the museum’s curator for a detailed tour of the state-of-the-art facility and its many displays and installations.

Opening the tour with an installation showing various regions in the country and their economic contributions over time, Okoye highlighted areas like eastern Nigeria known for its coal production, as well as northern Nigeria, home to a massive leather industry that currently exports raw materials to luxury leather companies like Louis Vuitton. Further down a dimly lit hallway, the museum opens up to a wide space that plays home to a leadership dome and life-like soldiers positioned as a way of honoring veterans and their indelible contributions to the nation’s building process. Recognizing former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Managing Director recalls meeting the two-time leader as Okoye explained Nigeria’s transition from military to democratic rule.

During the tour, the Managing Director also had access to a wide variety of classic and modern Nigerian creative art across the board from music to literature. Listening to playlists curated over several decades, she acknowledged the distinct beauty of the Nigerian sound that has had a cascading effect across multiple generations. A photo-op with images of colleagues like a former visitor and United Nations (UN) Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J. Mohammed, and World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, follows a visceral Virtual Reality (VR) experience in the museum’s Conflict and Resolution room. Okoye goes on to explain the importance of this room, describing it as a “safe space for Nigerians to experience and have difficult conversations about tumultuous moments from our past.”
The museum also houses a Replica Room containing lookalikes of various art pieces that have been stolen from the shores of Nigeria. Curated to educate and stir up conversations surrounding the return of stolen art, the room shows diverse pieces from different parts of the country highlighting intricate crafting that has become synonymous with Nigerian art. Expanding on the digital aspect of the museum, Dikko also pointed out QR codes courtesy of a hackathon the company organized, that allows for visitors to scan for displays and installations for more detailed explanations on their origins and significance.

Taking in sights at the museum, the World Bank Managing Director also pointed out parallels between Nigeria and her home country of Indonesia. From a fraught political past marked by British colonial rule to male headgears and local board games (Nigeria’s ayo is referred to as congklack in Indonesia), she expressed surprise at the similarities between both countries.
Closing out the tour, Art Tech District founder, Mosope Olaosebikan reiterated the company’s commitment to inclusive and expansive development. Listing out projects such as the Zero Hunger Food Bank which works with company’s restaurants to feed young children monthly, the Financial Independence and Digital Women’s Initiative which caters to over 11,000 women in rural areas, as well as the SteamBox and Civic X Digital Literacy for children, Olaosebikan revealed that while the world headed towards technology at a quick pace, Art Tech District remains dedicated to including members of its rural community who are disproportionately affected by poverty and other factors.

Thanking the team for the tour, World Bank Managing Director described her time at the museum as “a very sensory experience and a really great way to learn about Nigeria.” Leaving the compound, she also congratulated the team on finding a creative way to talk to tell the Nigerian story.

“As we look towards the future, we are excited and passionate about doing more. Currently, we are working on another Discovery Museum located in Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos,” Olaosebikan said when asked about the company’s plans. “Similarly, we are looking to expand beyond our shores, setting up museums in South, East, and other cities in West Africa. While we are excited about the future, we are also passionate about holding on to our rich and complex history.”

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phawaaz:
As part of plans to expand the landscape of storytelling in the context of Nigeria’s rich cultural, political, and social history, Nigeria’s first digitally-driven museum, The Discovery Museum, recently played host to Mari Pangestu, Managing Director, Development Policy and Partnerships at the World Bank, in a visit the director described as an “incredible sensory experience.”

Launched in July 2021, the museum, a unique intersection between the past, present, and projected future of Africa’s most populous country is an ambitious project of Abuja-based company, The Art Tech District. The privately funded museum located in the heart of the Nation’s Federal Capital leverages cutting-edge technology to deliver Nigeria’s art, history, and culture to the modern world. With the world heading towards a Global Fourth Industrial Revolution and tourism rapidly evolving into one the most lucrative industries, the Art Tech District team, also being cognizant of the country’s large innovative pool and growing disconnect between the people and its complex past, set up the museum with the goal of providing an immersive experience into what it means to be Nigerian and how our past served as a roadmap to who we are now.

Art Tech District founder, Mosope Olaosebikan, its General Manager, Faridah Dikko, and Discovery Museum curator, Amanda Kirby Okoye were on hand to welcome the World Bank leader and her team to the compound. Introducing key members of staff present, Dikko gave a brief overview of Art Tech District, its ethos and goals, before handing over to the museum’s curator for a detailed tour of the state-of-the-art facility and its many displays and installations.

Opening the tour with an installation showing various regions in the country and their economic contributions over time, Okoye highlighted areas like eastern Nigeria known for its coal production, as well as northern Nigeria, home to a massive leather industry that currently exports raw materials to luxury leather companies like Louis Vuitton. Further down a dimly lit hallway, the museum opens up to a wide space that plays home to a leadership dome and life-like soldiers positioned as a way of honoring veterans and their indelible contributions to the nation’s building process. Recognizing former President Olusegun Obasanjo, the Managing Director recalls meeting the two-time leader as Okoye explained Nigeria’s transition from military to democratic rule.

During the tour, the Managing Director also had access to a wide variety of classic and modern Nigerian creative art across the board from music to literature. Listening to playlists curated over several decades, she acknowledged the distinct beauty of the Nigerian sound that has had a cascading effect across multiple generations. A photo-op with images of colleagues like a former visitor and United Nations (UN) Deputy Secretary-General, Amina J. Mohammed, and World Trade Organization (WTO) Director-General, Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, follows a visceral Virtual Reality (VR) experience in the museum’s Conflict and Resolution room. Okoye goes on to explain the importance of this room, describing it as a “safe space for Nigerians to experience and have difficult conversations about tumultuous moments from our past.”
The museum also houses a Replica Room containing lookalikes of various art pieces that have been stolen from the shores of Nigeria. Curated to educate and stir up conversations surrounding the return of stolen art, the room shows diverse pieces from different parts of the country highlighting intricate crafting that has become synonymous with Nigerian art. Expanding on the digital aspect of the museum, Dikko also pointed out QR codes courtesy of a hackathon the company organized, that allows for visitors to scan for displays and installations for more detailed explanations on their origins and significance.

Taking in sights at the museum, the World Bank Managing Director also pointed out parallels between Nigeria and her home country of Indonesia. From a fraught political past marked by British colonial rule to male headgears and local board games (Nigeria’s ayo is referred to as congklack in Indonesia), she expressed surprise at the similarities between both countries.
Closing out the tour, Art Tech District founder, Mosope Olaosebikan reiterated the company’s commitment to inclusive and expansive development. Listing out projects such as the Zero Hunger Food Bank which works with company’s restaurants to feed young children monthly, the Financial Independence and Digital Women’s Initiative which caters to over 11,000 women in rural areas, as well as the SteamBox and Civic X Digital Literacy for children, Olaosebikan revealed that while the world headed towards technology at a quick pace, Art Tech District remains dedicated to including members of its rural community who are disproportionately affected by poverty and other factors.

Thanking the team for the tour, World Bank Managing Director described her time at the museum as “a very sensory experience and a really great way to learn about Nigeria.” Leaving the compound, she also congratulated the team on finding a creative way to talk to tell the Nigerian story.

“As we look towards the future, we are excited and passionate about doing more. Currently, we are working on another Discovery Museum located in Nigeria’s commercial capital, Lagos,” Olaosebikan said when asked about the company’s plans. “Similarly, we are looking to expand beyond our shores, setting up museums in South, East, and other cities in West Africa. While we are excited about the future, we are also passionate about holding on to our rich and complex history.”

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