AAUA Inaugural Lecture: Prof Olugbemi Advocates Indigenous Frameworks in Nigeria’s Development

Akungba-Akoko — Professor Victoria Kikelomo Olugbemi, a leading historian at Adekunle Ajasin University, has called on Nigeria to integrate indigenous frameworks into its national development strategies.

Delivering the university’s 40th inaugural lecture titled “Nation Building in Nigeria: The Historical Intersections of Gender, Religion, and Culture,” Professor Olugbemi stressed that Nigeria’s complex social fabric must be understood and leveraged to drive sustainable progress.

The scholar argued that gender, religion, and culture — often sidelined in mainstream policies — are key to shaping Nigeria’s identity and development trajectory. She urged policymakers to embrace indigenous knowledge systems as vital tools for crafting inclusive and effective development solutions that resonate deeply with Nigeria’s diverse populations.

“By grounding development in our own history and cultural realities, we can foster a greater sense of ownership and pride in the nation’s growth,” Professor Olugbemi said.

The lecture drew a large audience of academics, students, and dignitaries, underscoring the growing call to rethink Nigeria’s development path through a decolonized and culturally rooted lens.

Professor Olugbemi’s message adds fresh momentum to the ongoing national debate on how to make Nigeria’s development truly homegrown, inclusive, and sustainable.