Professor urges universities, technology to play key role in preserving cultural heritage

A professor of Art History at Bamidele Olumilua University of Education, Science and Technology, Ikere Ekiti, Olusola Ogunmola, has called on universities to take responsibility for accurately recording and transmitting cultural history to future generations.

Speaking during the institution’s 8th inaugural lecture titled ‘Ancestral heritage at the crossroads: Restoring and safeguarding Egungun culture and modernity, religion and global change,’ the don stressed the need for legal and institutional frameworks to preserve culture and strengthen national and community identity.

He noted that his research focused on reviving Yoruba cultural values and traditional ways of life that are nearly forgotten due to modernity and technological advancement.

According to him, cultural preservation depends on the combined efforts of academia, policymakers, and technology. He explained that universities can serve as custodians of intangible heritage by documenting performances, producing scholarly analysis, and creating archives.

The professor described the Egungun tradition as a key pillar of Yoruba cultural identity, representing history, morality, and spiritual connection. He acknowledged that modern lifestyles, new religious movements, and global influences pose challenges to the tradition but also present opportunities to rethink heritage protection without losing authenticity.

He called for cooperation among custodians, scholars, policymakers, and the younger generation to safeguard Egungun heritage. He recommended the use of digital archives, heritage education, and interreligious dialogue to reduce conflict and allow the tradition to coexist peacefully with other belief systems.

Restoring Egungun heritage, he said, is about protecting a living connection to ancestors, reinforcing community values, and ensuring that cultural knowledge continues to guide future generations.