The world's memory': why Nigeria is burying its history under a mountain in Svalbard

"The Arctic World Archive (AWA) is a data storage unit where organisations and individuals can deposit records kept on specialist digitised film called Piql that lasts up to 2,000 years. On 27 February, Nigeria became the first African country to place archives at the facility 300 metres beneath a mountain where the cold, dark, dry conditions are perfect for preservation."

"Inspired by the nearby Svalbard global seed vault, a collection of more than a million seed samples stored as an insurance policy against catastrophe, AWA was established to hold the world's memory for future generations. Started in 2017 by the Norwegian technology company that developed Piql, it contains an eclectic range of historical and creative records originating in 37 countries."

"The Nigerian records are a mix of social and cultural history, and archives from its creative industries, drawn from 12 Nigerian organisations, including private art foundations, museums and libraries. The collection was initiated by historian Nze Ed Emeka Keazor when he was appointed chair of Piql's first Africa office in Lagos in 2022."

The Arctic World Archive (AWA), located 300 metres beneath a mountain in Svalbard, Norway, stores digitized cultural records on specialized Piql film designed to last 2,000 years. Inspired by the nearby Svalbard global seed vault, AWA was established in 2017 to preserve humanity's memory for future generations. On 27 February, Nigeria became the first African country to deposit archives at the facility, contributing a collection of social, cultural, and creative records from 12 Nigerian organizations including museums, libraries, and art foundations. The initiative was led by historian Nze Ed Emeka Keazor, who was appointed chair of Piql's first Africa office in Lagos in 2022 and spent considerable time persuading Nigerian cultural institutions to participate in the preservation project.

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