U.S. Grants $125,000 for Lejja Iron-Smelting Site Preservation

The United States has awarded a $125,000 grant to the Centre for Memories in Enugu to support the preservation and digital documentation of the Lejja Iron-Smelting Site in Enugu State, believed to date back to around 2000 BC. This grant, provided under the U.S.

Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP), will facilitate the physical conservation of the site and include 3D digital documentation to enhance accessibility for future generations. The project, titled “Nchekwaba: Lejja Iron-Smelting,” aims to shed light on the technological advancements of ancient communities in South-east Nigeria.

U.S. Consul General Brandon Hudspeth launched the project in Lagos, emphasizing the historical significance of the site and the U.S. government's commitment to cultural heritage preservation in Nigeria, which has totaled approximately $1.2 million over the past five years.

The project will be implemented by Iheanyi Igboko, a U.S. exchange alumnus, and reflects ongoing U.S.-Nigeria partnerships in cultural preservation.