THE CHALLENGES OF SUSTAINING AND DEVELOPING NIGERIA’S CREATIVE HERITAGE

The creativity of the Nigeria people pre-dates Colonial era, and this is reflected in the diversities of her endeavours, in area of dance, distilled production, glass work, indigenous literary works, music, medical tradition, metal technology, pottery industry, sculpture, soap making, textile design and wood works. The paper highlight some prospects in the creative abilities of the Nigerian people. And notable of these include: identifying and tracing her pre-historic creative heritage, the international recognition of her rich traditional art, craft and literary works, among others. The paper equally identified the advent of Christianity, Colonialism, Western capitalism, introduction of Western technology' into the Nigerian society as the major challenges in Nigeria’s desire to develop creative heritage. The paper recommended that, for Nigeria as a nation to sustain and develop her creative heritage, its citizens must believe in themselves, develop self-consciousness, pride and must be sensitive to their environment and creative heritage. Besides, there is also the need for Nigerian leaders and followers to drastically change their tastes and preferences for foreign made goods. It is only when the leaders and followers patronize her home-made goods that the indigenous industries will grow and compete favourably with those