Managing Music Heritage Sites in Nigeria: The Case of the Shrine in Lagos and Its Cultural Tourism Potential

This study examines the management of significant music heritage sites in Nigeria, with a focused case study on the New Afrika Shrine in Ikeja, Lagos State, South West Nigeria, assessing its cultural tourism potential and current heritage management practices. The Afrika Shrine, originally established by Fela Anikulapo-Kuti and maintained by his son Femi Kuti, is globally recognised as a symbol of Afrobeat music, African political resistance, and pan-African cultural expression. This research investigates how the Shrine is managed as a cultural heritage asset, the visitor and tourist engagement strategies employed, and the alignment between current operations and best practice in cultural tourism site management. A qualitative case study design is adopted, incorporating site observation, interviews with management staff, event organisers, and cultural tourism officers from the Lagos State Tourism and Waterfront Infrastructure Development Agency, as well as interviews with domestic and international visitors. The study draws on heritage management theory, cultural tourism literature, and recent African creative economy research. Findings will provide an evaluation of the Shrine's management effectiveness and its untapped potential as a flagship music tourism destination in West Africa. Keywords: Music heritage, Afrika Shrine, cultural tourism, heritage management, Lagos.