Why Nigeria must design better means of preserving indigenous knowledge — FUTA don

A Professor of Information and Women Studies/Indigenous Knowledge at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA), Professor Oluremi Adenike Abiolu, has called for measures to preserve Nigeria’s indigenous knowledge, strengthen information systems and improve access to reliable information as essential drivers of sustainable national development.

Professor Abiolu made the call in her inaugural lecture, titled: ‘Information Past, Information Present and Information Forever: Understanding the Questions That Remain’, delivered as FUTA’s 208th inaugural lecture on Tuesday.

She emphasised the need for government, universities, information professionals and relevant institutions to invest in modern information infrastructure, human capacity development and policies that would ensure the effective preservation, accessibility and utilisation of information.

Professor Abiolucalled for a coordinated action among government institutions, universities, information professionals and communities to strengthen information management, preserve indigenous knowledge and ensure that information contributes meaningfully to sustainable development.

She warned that indigenous knowledge, particularly traditional medicinal knowledge, faces the threat of gradual extinction due to inadequate documentation, weak legal protection, changing lifestyles and the loss of knowledge across generations.

She advocated the establishment of indigenous knowledge centres and special libraries across Nigeria’s six geopolitical zones to document, preserve and promote the country’s rich cultural and intellectual heritage.

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She said modern information technologies should be deployed to record and digitise indigenous knowledge, while appropriate legal frameworks should be established to protect communities against the unauthorised use of their knowledge and intellectual property.

The lecture also highlighted the challenges confronting traditional medicinal knowledge, including the scarcity of medicinal plants caused by urbanisation and deforestation, the effects of herbicides on plant quality, overexploitation of high-demand species, inadequate information on standardised dosages and side effects, and weak legal safeguards against biopiracy.

Professor Abiolu stressed that documenting and preserving indigenous knowledge would not only safeguard Nigeria’s heritage but also support healthcare, food security, environmental sustainability and the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

On the future of information management, the professor noted that the rapid evolution of Information and Communication Technologies had transformed how information is created, stored, organised, preserved and disseminated.

She urged Nigerian universities to provide relevant, current and accessible information resources in diverse formats, while encouraging information professionals to continually research users’ information needs and behaviour to ensure that their services remain relevant.

Reflecting on the broader significance of information, Professor Abiolu noted that information does not necessarily eliminate questions but can generate deeper inquiries that lead to solutions.

She challenged stakeholders to consider how information could guide present decisions, preserve lessons from the past and prepare society for an uncertain future.

Professor Abiola’s inaugural lecture was the first delivered under the School of Science and Technology Education (SSTE) of FUTA.

Presenting the lecturer, the vice chancellor, Professor Adenike Oladiji, represented by the deputy vice chancellor (Development), Professor Sunday Oluyamo, described the lecture as timely and relevant to contemporary challenges in information management, knowledge preservation and sustainable development.

She said the lecture topic aptly reflects the need to preserve knowledge from the past, harness information in the present and prepare for future technological and societal changes.

The vice chancellor reaffirmed FUTA’s commitment to research that addresses societal challenges and contributes to national development.

She expressed confidence that the lecture would stimulate intellectual discourse and provide useful insights into strengthening information management, preserving Nigeria’s cultural heritage and promoting sustainable development.