Overview

The National Commission for Museums and Monuments Act (1979 No. 77) establishes the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM) in Nigeria, dissolving the Antiquities Commission and the Federal Department of Antiquities. The Act is structured in four parts: Part I covers the establishment, membership, functions, and financial provisions of the Commission; Part II addresses the declaration of antiquities as national monuments, excavation restrictions, and discoveries; Part III prohibits the buying and selling of antiquities and regulates their registration, export, and compulsory purchase; Part IV contains miscellaneous provisions including annual reports, staff regulations, and interpretation. The Commission is a body corporate with perpetual succession, tasked with managing national museums, protecting monuments, controlling excavations, and regulating antiquities trade. Its membership includes a chairman appointed by the President, representatives from states, and a Director-General. Key functions include declaring national monuments, maintaining access to monuments, compensating owners, and preventing illegal export of antiquities. The Act provides for penalties for offences, search without warrant under certain conditions, and the establishment of a fund for the Commission's operations.

Download