ABSTRACT
This study assessed the use of archaeology to promote social justice in Nigeria, with a specific focus on the National Commission for Museums and Monuments (NCMM), Abuja. The study was motivated by the growing recognition of archaeology's potential to address contemporary societal issues, particularly in post-colonial contexts where historical narratives have been shaped by colonial perspectives and marginalized communities have been denied their rightful place in history. Despite Nigeria's rich cultural heritage and diverse indigenous groups, archaeology has not been fully leveraged as a tool for social justice, empowerment, heritage reclamation, and the promotion of equity in local communities.
The study adopted a descriptive survey research design and was conducted at NCMM, Abuja. The target population consisted of approximately 150 staff members, from which a sample of 109 respondents was determined using the Taro Yamane formula. Stratified random sampling technique was employed to select respondents from various departments, including Archaeology and Research, Museum and Exhibition, Monuments and Sites, Policy and Planning, and Administration and Finance. Primary data were collected using structured questionnaires and in-depth interviews, while secondary data were obtained from relevant literature, official reports, and policy documents. The validity and reliability of the research instrument were established through expert review and pre-testing, yielding a reliability coefficient of 0.82. Data analysis involved both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques, with the Pearson Product Moment Correlation Coefficient employed to test the research hypothesis at a 0.05 level of significance. Thematic analysis was used for qualitative data obtained from interviews.
The findings revealed that archaeology has been utilized in significant ways to challenge dominant narratives and empower marginalized communities in Nigeria. The majority of respondents (81.0%) agreed that archaeology has been used to challenge colonial narratives about Nigerian history, while 79.0% agreed that archaeological research has empowered marginalized communities by reclaiming their cultural heritage. However, only 63.2% agreed that indigenous knowledge and perspectives have been adequately incorporated into archaeological interpretation, indicating room for improvement. The study identified several social justice outcomes, including contributions to the repatriation of cultural artifacts (79.0% agreement), promotion of national unity (68.4% agreement), increased awareness of cultural heritage rights (61.1% agreement), and addressing historical injustices (78.9% agreement). The study also identified key challenges, with inadequate funding being the most significant obstacle (87.3% agreement), followed by political interference (71.6% agreement). Opportunities identified include community-based archaeology (83.2% agreement) and collaboration with international bodies (82.1% agreement).
The test of hypothesis using Pearson correlation analysis revealed a positive correlation coefficient of 0.76 between the use of archaeology and the promotion of social justice in Nigeria, with a p-value of 0.001, which is less than the 0.05 level of significance. Consequently, the null hypothesis was rejected, and the alternative hypothesis was accepted, indicating that there is a significant positive relationship between the use of archaeology and the promotion of social justice in Nigeria. Archaeological practices have a measurable impact on social justice outcomes such as empowerment, heritage reclamation, and the promotion of equity in local communities.
The study concluded that archaeology holds significant potential for promoting social justice in Nigeria by challenging colonial narratives, empowering marginalized communities, advocating for the repatriation of cultural artifacts, and fostering national unity. However, challenges such as inadequate funding, political interference, and limited community engagement must be addressed to realize the full potential of archaeology as a tool for social justice. The study recommended increased funding for archaeological research and heritage management, strengthening legal protection for heritage sites, adopting community-based archaeological approaches, enhancing public engagement and education, incorporating indigenous knowledge into archaeological interpretation, and fostering collaboration with international bodies. The study contributes to knowledge by providing empirical evidence on the use of archaeology to promote social justice in Nigeria, applying theoretical frameworks to the Nigerian context, and offering practical recommendations for various stakeholders, including policymakers, archaeologists, heritage managers, local communities, educational institutions, and international bodies.
