The federal government says it is in the process of declaring 111 historical sites in Nigeria as national monuments.

Information minister Lai Mohammed disclosed this on Tuesday in Abuja at the 26th edition of the President Muhammadu Buhari regime’s scorecard series.

He said the process of declaring the sites as national monuments had reached an advanced stage and was awaiting presidential assent.

According to the minister, 111 national monuments will be added to the existing 65.

Mr Mohammed also disclosed that the current administration had published the first edition of Nigeria’s National Festival Calendar.

He said the ministry supported and attended several cultural festivals across the country as part of efforts to put them on the national cultural calendar.

According to the minister, the festivals included Argungu International Fishing and Cultural Festival in Argungu, Kebbi, the Durbar in Dutse, Jigawa, Calabar Carnival in Cross River and Ijakadi in Offa, Kwara.

Speaking specifically on the globally-recognised Argungu festival, the minister said the Buhari regime revived it in 2020 after a 10-year hiatus.

“We also ensured that the festival was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2016,” stated Mr Mohammed. 

He added, “The list was created to ensure better protection of important intangible cultural heritages worldwide and the awareness of their significance.”

(NAN)