The National Council for Arts and Culture was established by Decree No.3 of 1975 and amended by Decree No.5 of 1987 as one of the statutory organs of the Federal Government charged with the responsibility of coordination, preservation and promotion of the living Nigeria’s arts and culture at national and international fora.

From time to time, the Management of the Council, in line with the policy directives of Government, undertakes pro-active efforts towards re-focusing, re-engineering and repositioning the Council for greater efficiency and productivity. Subsequently, we have in recent times, reviewed and re-evaluated our existing programmes and projects and re-aligned them in line with the goals of the present democratic dispensation.

The Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC) was established by Decree 69 of 1979 following the successful and epoch-making hosting of the 2nd World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC ’77). The Centre houses all the materials which constitute the core collections, artifacts, and rare cultural items that were used during FESTAC ’77.

The decision to handover these materials to Nigeria Was to reinforce and build upon the gains of the historic festival. It was in fact in fulfilment of Nigeria ‘s pledge to keep the materials in trust for the 59 Black and African countries and communities which participated in the Festival that gave impetus for the establishment of the Centre.