Abou Us

Who We Are

The Foundation for the Preservation of Cultural Heritage in Nigeria (FOPCHEN) is a non-governmental organization dedicated to preserving and revitalizing Africa's diverse cultural heritage. We restore historical sites, document cultural practices, and empower communities to safeguard their heritage for future generations. We believe that preserving the past empowers the future, strengthening communities and fostering cultural pride.

Our Mission

To collaborate with communities, institutions, and governments across Africa to:

Safeguard cultural heritage for present and future generations through ethical and sustainable practices.
Revitalize cultural sites to foster social cohesion, economic development, and community well-being.
Empower local communities to take ownership of their heritage and drive its preservation.
Cultivate a sense of pride and identity in Africa's rich cultural heritage among youth and the wider public.

Our Vision

To ensure Nigeria's cultural heritage thrives as a source of strength and pride, driving sustainable development and social cohesion.

Core Objectives

At the heart of FOPCHEN’s work are several key objectives:

Comprehensive Documentation:
Conduct in-depth research and documentation of Nigeria’s tangible (artifacts, monuments, sites) and intangible (oral traditions, music, dance) cultural heritage.
Preservation and Restoration:
Utilize modern conservation techniques alongside traditional methods to restore and maintain Nigeria’s cultural heritage sites and artifacts.
Capacity Building:
Provide training and capacity-building programs in heritage management, sustainable building practices, and leadership for communities, youth, and professionals.
Education and Awareness:
Develop educational resources and programs that promote awareness and appreciation of Nigeria’s cultural heritage among diverse audiences, from schoolchildren to international scholars.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs):
Engage youth and local communities in achieving SDGs, particularly around cultural preservation, environmental sustainability, and community development.
Digital Preservation: Create digital archives to ensure the accessibility and preservation of cultural heritage for future generations.

Our Approach

FOPCHEN takes a holistic and collaborative approach to cultural heritage preservation, combining research, restoration, education, and advocacy. We work closely with local communities, cultural institutions, government agencies, and international partners to ensure that our projects are impactful and sustainable.

Community-Centered: We believe that the best way to preserve heritage is by empowering the people who live with it. Our projects involve close collaboration with local communities to identify, document, and protect cultural assets.
Sustainable Practices: Our restoration and construction projects emphasize sustainability. By utilizing locally sourced materials and traditional building techniques, we create models for environmentally responsible development.
Youth Engagement: Through our Siyanda Academy and other youth-focused initiatives, we train the next generation of cultural custodians and leaders who will continue the work of heritage preservation.

Our Team

Our dedicated team of experts brings a wealth of knowledge in cultural heritage management, sustainable development, and youth education. We work with world-renowned scholars, heritage professionals, and local leaders to bring innovative solutions to heritage preservation in Nigeria.

Our Partners and Collaborators

We work in collaboration with a diverse range of partners, from local communities and government agencies to international organizations and academic institutions. These partnerships allow us to extend our impact and promote cross-cultural understanding and cooperation.