LAGOS, Nigeria — The Enugu State Government has received a significant boost in its efforts to preserve the historic iron-smelting site at Lejja, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State, following the award of a $125,000 grant by the United States Government.
The grant, which will support the conservation, physical preservation and digital documentation of the ancient archaeological site, was formally presented at the National Museum in Lagos.
The project will be implemented by the Centre For Memories – Ncheta Ndigbo through its Nchekwaba Project, with a focus on safeguarding the site’s archaeological remains, documenting its history and promoting greater public understanding of Lejja’s cultural significance.
Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai, who represented and accepted the grant on behalf of Governor Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, described the intervention as a historic and pivotal milestone in the state’s efforts to preserve its cultural heritage.
Ossai emphasized that the long-term sustainability of the Lejja site would depend not only on government and institutional support but also on the active participation of the local community.
“The people of Lejja must remain at the heart of the preservation process, as their knowledge and participation will be central to the site’s long-term sustainability and resilience,” he said.
In a major development, the Deputy Governor disclosed that the Enugu State Government is preparing an Executive Bill to be forwarded to the State House of Assembly. The proposed legislation will establish a legal framework for the protection, preservation, administration and sustainable management of the archaeological site.
According to Ossai, the proposed legislation will complement the ongoing conservation initiative and provide stronger institutional backing for the protection of Lejja’s heritage for future generations.
He expressed the state government’s appreciation to the United States Government for the grant and reaffirmed the administration’s commitment to working closely with the Centre For Memories to preserve and promote the site.
“On behalf of our Governor, Peter Ndubuisi Mbah, we appreciate the US Government for the grant and we assure the Centre For Memories of our collaboration to ensure that the story of Lejja is properly preserved, documented and shared with the world,” he said.
The grant is expected to facilitate vital conservation work, digital documentation, archaeological research and public education, while making the history of Lejja more accessible to a wider Nigerian and international audience.
The Lejja iron-smelting site is an important archaeological heritage location in southeastern Nigeria, with evidence of ancient iron production that has attracted significant scholarly and archaeological interest.
The latest intervention is therefore seen as an important step towards safeguarding Lejja’s physical remains while preserving the knowledge and historical narratives associated with the site.
Beyond conservation, the project could further position Lejja as an important destination for cultural tourism, archaeological research and heritage education, showcasing the technological and historical achievements of ancient communities in southeastern Nigeria to the world.