Nigeria and the United States have formalized a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at conserving the Sukur Cultural Heritage Site in Adamawa State, designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The agreement, signed in Abuja on Thursday, signifies the implementation of the Ambassador’s Fund for Cultural Preservation Grant, dedicated to safeguarding the Sukur Cultural Heritage Site, according to reports from the News Agency of Nigeria.

David Greene, the U.S. Chargé d’Affaires, emphasized the project’s objective during the signing ceremony, stating, “This grant will support ICOMOS-Nigeria and its local partners to help preserve Sukur cultural heritage through infrastructure enhancements, revival of threatened traditional crafts, as well as documentation and preservation.”

Greene commended Nigeria’s steadfast commitment to preserving its cultural heritage and expressed optimism about the project’s impact on Sukur’s conservation efforts.

In response, Hannatu Musawa, Nigeria’s Minister of Art, Culture, and the Creative Economy, extended gratitude to the U.S. government for its unwavering support toward preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage. She emphasized the significance of the 2-year conservation and preservation initiative slated for the Sukur Cultural Landscape.

Musawa remarked, “We are aware that the Sukur cultural site is under imminent threat of insurgency and immediate danger imposed by global climate change.” She underscored the importance of international collaboration in addressing these challenges.

She added, “It is in this perilous setting that the USA, ICOMOS, and the other partners are venturing, bringing their message of hope and support.”

The project, spearheaded by ICOMOS and the National Commission for Museums and Monuments under the coordination of Terry Little from Ahmadu Bello University and the American University of Nigeria, involves contributions from Washington State University, University of Calgary, and the Factum Foundation from the United Kingdom.

The initiative aims not only to conserve the tangible and intangible heritage of Sukur Cultural Landscape but also to enhance community capacity and strengthen international partnerships for heritage conservation.