About CBAAC

Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC) is a parastatal under the Federal Ministry of Culture and Information which is statutorily charged with the responsibility of promoting and propagating Black and African Cultural Heritage in its totality. It was established by Decree 69 of 1979 following the successful and epoch-making hosting of the 2nd World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC ’77).

The Centre houses all the materials which constitute the core collections, artifacts, and rare cultural items that were used during FESTAC ’77. The decision to hand over these materials to Nigeria were to reinforce and build upon the gains of the historic festival. It was in fulfilment of Nigeria’s pledge to keep the materials in trust for the Fifty-Nine Black and African countries and communities which participated in the festival that gave impetus for the establishment of the Centre.

CBAAC has a strategic mandate and plays a key role in making Nigeria the arrowhead in the presentation, promotion, and propagation of African cultural heritage and civilization. Its mission is to promote public interest in understanding and appreciation of the Black and African Art and Culture with a view of emphasizing the contribution of Black and African people to world civilization. This informed the decision by the Federal Government, going by the report by the Presidential Panel on the Review, Harmonization, and Rationalization of Federal Parastatals, Institutions, and Agencies in 2000 to upgrade CBAAC to a Pan-African Heritage Center, a status the Centre still maintains till date.

To achieve its set goals, the Centre holds periodic Seminars, Workshops, Public Lectures, Arts Exhibitions and Symposia in addition to some other activities which project the overall image of Black and African People and enable their cultures to be appreciated globally. Through its numerous programmes, the Centre has continued to contribute to the pool of universal knowledge on Black and African People.