The United States Consulate in Lagos has presented a $125,000 Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) grant to the Centre for Memories, Enugu State, to preserve the Lejja Iron-Smelting site, which has existed since 2,000 BC.

The U.S. Consul General, Brandon Hudspeth, on Thursday presented the grant to Enugu Governor Peter Mbah, represented by Deputy Governor Ifeanyi Ossai. Both parties signed a document of cooperation at the National Museum, Onikan.

Mr Hudspeth, in his remarks, said the grant is aimed at transforming and providing digital documentation of the site, adding that the consulate has also discussed plans with the Nigerian government to extend the grant for another five years.

Mr Hudspeth said, “We have an opportunity to transform this ancient legacy into something even more powerful. The Lejja Iron-Smelting site carries its work into the future. It will do so by combining conservation, digital documenting techniques that will help us preserve physical sites that face the passage of time, whether there is environmental degradation or other threats, these stories will not be lost because of what we’re doing today.

“That’s why I’m honoured to be here, to award this prestigious grant that will total $125,000 to the center of memories, in Enugu. This will carry out the digital documentation of the Lejja site and it will build on the long history of collaboration between the United States and Nigeria.

“Over the past five years, the United States have invested more than $1.2 million for cultural heritage work through the AFCP. The U.S. embassy in Abuja, just few months ago, was having a conversation with the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, to know what are the next steps for us to extend this grant for another five years. So, this is an important work that we’re doing together and I look forward to continuing that.”

Speaking to journalists after the grant presentation, Mr Ossai said a bill would soon be sent to the State House of Assembly to provide legal protection for the site, after which the state would urge the Federal Government to designate it as a national monument.

The deputy governor said, “For us, it’s exciting that some of the monuments we have are being preserved. We have always known that they are there. We are sending an executive bill to the House of Assembly, so that we can protect it by law, set the guideline that will ensure that it’s protected and becomes a monument.

“We’ll also escalate it to the federal government to recognise it as a national monument, and we’ll now do the last thing which is to have it as a heritage. Participation in this event is key for us because it speaks to our investment and desire to leave Enugu State better than we met it.”

The minister of arts and culture, Hannatu Musa Musawa, represented by the director-general and chief executive officer of the National Film and Video Censors Board, Shaibu Husseini, said the grant, which aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, is a significant milestone in the collective journey to protect, preserve and project Nigeria’s rich historical legacy to the world.

Mr Husseini, who was born in Ude and whose mother is from Nkanu, both in Enugu State, stated that, “Today marks a significant milestone in our collective journey to protect, preserve and project Nigeria’s rich historical legacy to the global stage. The Lejja Iron-Smelting site, as we’ve been told, dates back to approximately 2,000 BC.

“It’s not just an archeological marvel, it is an undeniable testament to ancient Nigerian sophistication, technological ingenuity and scientific mastery. It reminds the world that Africa, and indeed Nigeria, has long been the cradle of innovation and industry. This investment ensures that these irreplaceable pieces of global heritage is preserved for generations to come.

“In alignment with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, the ministry remains firmly committed in transforming our cultural heritage assets into vibrant drivers of tourism, education and economic growth. Safeguarding sites like Lejja is central to that mission.”