The United States Government has awarded a $125,000 grant to support the conservation, digital documentation and physical preservation of the historic iron-smelting site in Lejja, Nsukka Local Government Area of Enugu State.
The grant was presented at the National Museum in Lagos and will be implemented by the Centre For Memories – Ncheta Ndigbo through its Nchekwaba Project.
Representing Governor Peter Mbah at the ceremony, Enugu State Deputy Governor, Barrister Ifeanyi Ossai, described the grant as a historic milestone and a significant partnership towards preserving the state’s cultural heritage.
Ossai stressed that protecting the Lejja archaeological site would require sustained collaboration between government, heritage institutions and the local community.
He said the people of Lejja must remain at the centre of the preservation process, noting that their knowledge and active participation would be crucial to the site’s long-term sustainability.
The Deputy Governor also disclosed that the Enugu State Government was preparing an Executive Bill to be presented to the State House of Assembly to establish a legal framework for the protection, preservation and administration of the archaeological site.
According to him, the proposed legislation would complement ongoing efforts to properly document Lejja’s history and safeguard its heritage for future generations.
Ossai expressed the state government’s appreciation to the US Government for the grant, assuring the Centre For Memories of the administration’s commitment to preserving and promoting the historical significance of Lejja globally.
The Lejja iron-smelting site is regarded as an important archaeological heritage site in southeastern Nigeria, with evidence of ancient iron production that has attracted considerable scholarly and archaeological interest.
The latest intervention is expected to enhance documentation of the site, protect its physical remains and promote greater public understanding of Lejja’s contribution to the region’s history and technological heritage.
