Abstract

The preservation and promotion of cultural heritage through museums are vital for nations to connect with their history and identity. Nigeria, with its rich cultural diversity, faces energy challenges impacting the efficiency of its museums. Energy-intensive museums in Nigeria contend with issues related to energy efficiency, affecting artifact preservation and sustainability. Additionally, the concept of functional space in Nigerian museums is influenced by decolonization, technological advancement, and universal design compliance. The study aims to analyze the infrastructure and practices within the Lagos Museum, focusing on energy-efficient measures and functional spaces. It seeks to assess the utilization of measures such as natural ventilation, thermal insulation, efficient lighting systems, and renewable energy sources. Additionally, it evaluates various functional spaces within the museum, encompassing exhibition galleries, educational workshops, auditoriums, outdoor spaces, research libraries, and cafes/restaurants. Qualitative and quantitative research methods were employed, utilizing selected case studies (Nike Centre for Art and Culture Lekki and the National Museum Lagos), questionnaire-based survey, review of existing literature, and statistical descriptive methods were utilized for data collection and analysis. Survey results reveal a significant awareness of energy efficiency and functional spaces among museum communities. The majority acknowledges the importance of these aspects for artifact preservation and overall sustainability. Positive findings indicate prevalent energy-efficient measures and functional spaces, with room for improvement in specific categories. The evaluation demonstrates a positive trend in awareness and implementation of sustainable practices in museums. Challenges and opportunities for improvement, especially in the National Museum Lagos, highlight the need for increased utilization of functional spaces and further integration of energy-efficient measures. Recommendations include promoting awareness through educational programs and outreach initiatives.