Capacity Building in Archaeological Conservation: Training Needs of NCMM Staff in the South East Zone

The effective conservation of Nigeria's archaeological heritage depends critically on the technical competence of the professional staff employed by the National Commission for Museums and Monuments, yet systematic assessment of training needs within the NCMM has rarely been undertaken. This study assesses the conservation training needs of NCMM professional staff in the South East geopolitical zone, covering offices in Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo, and Abia states, using a mixed-methods approach combining structured questionnaires, competency assessment exercises, and focus group discussions. Fifty-two staff members participated, spanning curatorial, conservation, site management, and administrative roles. Competency assessment results indicate significant deficiencies in preventive conservation knowledge, first aid for deteriorating artefacts, digital documentation methods, and integrated pest management. Focus groups reveal that staff attribute training gaps primarily to infrequent in-service training opportunities, inadequate laboratory equipment, and the limited applicability of training programmes developed for temperate-zone museum conditions to the high-humidity Southeast Nigerian environment. The study identifies eight priority training domains and proposes a zone-wide capacity building programme using a blended delivery model combining residential workshops at the Enugu Esut Museum complex with online learning modules. Cost estimates and potential funding pathways including the World Bank West Africa Cultural Heritage Programme and the British Council are discussed. The findings provide a practical human resources development framework directly actionable by NCMM leadership. Keywords: capacity building, conservation training, NCMM, South East zone, heritage management.