First African Nation Archives History in Arctic

Nigeria has become the first African nation to deposit its historical and cultural records in the Arctic World Archive (AWA). This facility, located 300 meters beneath a mountain near the North Pole, uses specialized Piql film to preserve data for up to 2,000 years. The AWA's cold, dark, and dry conditions are ideal for long-term storage.

Inspired by the Svalbard global seed vault, AWA was established in 2017 by a Norwegian technology company. It holds records from 37 countries, including contributions from the Vatican Library and the European Space Agency. Nigeria's submission features a blend of social history, cultural heritage, and archives from its creative industries, originating from twelve different Nigerian organizations.

Historian Nze Ed Emeka Keazor initiated the Nigerian archival effort in 2022, encouraging cultural institutions to preserve their records. These include contributions from the Ulusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library, Bloom Art gallery, and the Asaba Monument Trust, which memorializes the 1967 Asaba massacre. Dr. Chima Korieh also led a project to help the Umuchieze community in Imo State preserve their history and cultural practices.

While the AWA deposit is a significant step for Nigeria, issues with underfunded and poorly maintained archives within the country remain. The high cost of Piql film, around €9,000 per reel, was a barrier, leading AWA to transition to a non-profit model in 2025 to offer subsidies. AWA also partners with organizations like Unesco to archive significant heritage documents and world heritage sites.