Mystery Surrounds Disappearance Of Enwonwu’s ‘The Drummer’
Questions Trail Disappearance of Ben Enwonwu’s ‘The Drummer’ from NITEL House
BEN Enwonwu’s iconic bronze sculpture, The Drummer, once mounted prominently on the façade of the former NITEL House on Lagos’ Marina, has reportedly disappeared, raising fresh concerns about the preservation of Nigeria’s public art heritage.
Commissioned in 1978 for the Nigerian External Telecommunications (NET) Building, later known as NITEL and NECOM House, the sculpture symbolised a fusion of modern technology and indigenous communication. Enwonwu’s choice of a drummer reflected Africa’s ancient signal system, aligning cultural expression with Nigeria’s then-ambitious telecommunications identity.
Completed in 1979, the NET/NITEL Tower stood as a marker of corporate confidence in post-independence Nigeria. The Drummer added a human and cultural dimension to the structure, becoming a familiar visual landmark for residents and visitors to Marina.
However, conflicting accounts now surround the sculpture’s fate. While some official records suggest it remains in place, other reports—including comments attributed to Enwonwu’s family—indicate that the artwork was removed. Architectural observers say it was still visible as recently as 2022, making its disappearance a relatively recent development.
The uncertainty reflects a broader pattern linked to NITEL’s institutional collapse and the subsequent privatisation and transfer of its assets. Cultural experts stress that ownership changes do not confer the right to remove or dispose of public artworks.
Calls are growing for authorities to clarify the sculpture’s status, publish records of its removal if any, and ensure accountability. Until then, the absence of The Drummer remains emblematic of Nigeria’s fragile approach to protecting public cultural assets.
