CBN in talks with Google to set up virtual currency museum

The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), in collaboration with Google is planning to set up a virtual reality museum which would enable the global community to connect with its currency museum and be able to access and tour the gallery without being physically present.

This was announced on Thursday in Abuja by Folashodun Shonubi, deputy governor operations directorate of the CBN as the apex bank joined the global museum community to celebrate the 2023 International Museum Day (IMD) with the theme: “Museums, Sustainability and Well-being”.

So far, more than 30,000 visitors from around the world have physically visited the CBN museum and the virtual gallery is being planned to help manage and give greater access to the large number of people who wish to access the museum.

IMD is usually a week-long event but the CBN chose to celebrate this year’s event on Thursday. It is unique being the first Museum Day that the CBN is celebrating since the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.

Shonubi who represented the CBN governor, Godwin Emefiele at the event noted the important roles Museums play including, cultural enrichment and development of communal understanding, cooperation and peace among people which cannot be over emphasized.

A virtual museum is a collection of digitally recorded images, sound files, text documents, and other data of historical, scientific, or cultural interest that are accessed through electronic media. It does not house actual objects and therefore lacks the permanence and unique qualities of a museum in the institutional definition of the term, but are directly dependent upon their existing collections.

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Technology has helped Museums in reaching beyond core audience to new publics. This has been shown in digitalization of collections, virtual tours or something as simple as a hashtag that allows visitors to share their experiences on social media.

The CBN currency museum was commissioned on May 6, 2009 as part of activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the Bank. The main goals are to educate, enlighten and entertain thr public on the evolution of money in Nigeria currency related issues and the Bank’s initiative.

According to the Deputy Governor, displays in the Museums are designed to appeal to any audience irrespective of age, ethnic group or gender.

“It is impossible to understand the role of Museums without taking into account all the connections to culture; they are an inherent part of our local communities, cultural landscape and natural environment.

“Thanks to technology, the Central Bank of Nigeria Currency Museum is in collaboration working in collaboration with Google and our in-house Information Technology Department (|TD) establish a Virtual Reality Museum. This is an approach to connect with the global world for the public to sit back and relax within their comfort zone and view the artifacts on display.

“Museums, Sustainability and Well-being is a theme designed to link Museums in making sure that our environments are sustained globally to make the world a better place, and thus its choice by the International Council of Museums (1COM) as the theme for 2023,” he stressed.

International Museum Day, a global event celebrated annually on the 18th of May is Organised and coordinated by the ICOM, a non governmental body to raise and drive awareness on the role of museums in social development and challenges.

This year’s theme us “Museum sustainability and Wellbeing ” is aimed at underscoring the role and contribution of museums towards achieving the sustainable development goals (SDGs) especially goals 3, which emphasizes Good health and well-being for all; Goal 13 which seeks to combat climate change and its impact and Goal 15 which emphasizes Life on Land.

At the event, CBN Director, Currency Operations, Ahmed Umar noted that the IMD seeks to raise awareness that “Museums are important means of cultural exchange, enrichment of cultures and development of mutual understanding, cooperation and peace among people”.

He emphasized that museums are key contributors to both the well-being and sustainable development of communities as their vast collections offer almost infinite opportunities to share with visitors the ways in which the past informs the present and conversely how the issues of the present can make the past relevant.

The Director recalled the devastating impact of COVID-19 crisis which affected every aspect of lives and questioned the very structure of societies. “Museums are no exception to these changes, being one of the most affected.”

He cited surveys conducted by ICOM and other international organizations which present a dire situation for Museums and their professionals, along with serious economic, social and psychological repercussions in the short and long term alike.

He said the pandemic also served as a catalyst for crucial innovations, and partly informed CBN’s decision to now consider a Virtual Reality Currency Museum.