The DataCite Q4 Global Access Funding Meeting took place on 28 November 2024, featuring Owen Iyoha, CEO of Eko-Konnect Research and Education Initiative in Lagos, Nigeria. The meeting highlighted ongoing efforts to digitize and preserve Nigeria’s ancient artefacts through Open Access infrastructure and Persistent Identifiers (PIDs), specifically DataCite International Generic Sample Numbers (IGSNs).

Eko-Konnect has been collaborating with the National Commission of Museums and Monuments (NCMM), under the Federal Ministry of Arts, Culture & Creative Economy, to advance the GAF Demonstrator Project. The project’s objective is to digitize Nigeria’s archaeological artefacts and historical objects, ensuring their long-term accessibility in Open Access Repositories. This initiative supports the broader goal of enhancing cultural heritage preservation while promoting Open Science and Open Access practices.

Current activities include ongoing discussions on sustainability with the Director General of NCMM to ensure long-term support for the Lagos Museum repository and its expansion to other Nigerian museums. Publicity efforts have been ramped up through social media and traditional advertising, alongside planning for a community outreach campaign aimed at showcasing the Lagos Museum’s use of IGSNs.

The project serves as a critical model for demonstrating how Persistent Identifiers such as IGSNs can enhance the visibility and discoverability of museum collections. By assigning DOIs and IGSNs to historical artefacts, Eko-Konnect is fostering greater adoption of Open Infrastructure within Nigerian research and education institutions. This initiative is expected to drive further interest in Open Science, ensuring that Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage is preserved and made widely accessible for future generations.