Nigerian Cultural History and Challenges of Postcolonial Development

An inspiring editorial analysis and interpretation of aspects of Nigerian history, culture, and politics, from mankind’s archaeological past to ethnographic present, this book contextualises cultural history as instrument of sustainable development in postcolonial Nigeria. Nigeria’s rich cultural history defines its physical environment, cultural diversities, early industrial technology and even its various challenges of development. Yet, little is achieved in engaging cultural history as cultural experience for the country’s development. The gains of cultural history as a mirror of the past and inspiration for development is ignored. This difficulty in harnessing the potential for development in Nigeria found in the country’s cultural history leaves us vulnerable to repeating past mistakes. The book is accessible, and aimed at giving the readers a unique and expansive understanding of history, cultural knowledge, and their applications in Nigerian postcolonial development agendas. This makes the book essential for scholars of anthropology, archaeology, history, linguistics, sociology, political science, and geography, as well as policy makers.

Samuel Oluwole Ogundele is Professor of Anthropological Archaeology at the University of Ibadan, Nigeria, where he obtained his Ph.D in 1990. His publications include Understanding Contemporary Archaeology (2014), and over 80 articles in such journals as Antiquity, African Archaeological Review, Nyame Akuma, Research Review, Legon Journal of Sociology, Cota Zero, and West African Journal of Archaeology. Ogundele was a Visiting Scholar at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa between 2002 and 2003.

Aderemi Suleiman Ajala is a Professor at the Department of Archaeology and Anthropology, University of Ibadan, Nigeria, where he teaches and researches African anthropology, focusing on culture and health, Yoruba ethno-medicine, nationalism and politics in Nigeria, and cultural heritage management. Ajala is a recipient of CODESRIA grants (2002, 2005 and 2007); the British Academy Fellowship (2006); Alexander von Humboldt fellowships and grants (2009, 2011, 2013, 2019, 2021-2022); and the Rockefeller Foundation Fellowship (2013). His recent book publications include Rural Healthcare Provisioning (2010); Nationalism and Politics in Postcolonial Nigeria (edited 2011); Yoruba Nationalism - Culture, Politics and Violence in Southwestern Nigeria (2013); Indigenous Epistemology, Strengthening Research and Decolonization of Education in Nigeria (edited, 2019); and Emerging Trends in African Ethnography (edited, 2022). With the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation grant (2021-2023), he is currently working on Invention of Human Healthcare Strategies among Pastoral Nomads of Oyo North in Southwestern Nigeria.

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Adebimpe Adefila

Abimbola Adesoji

Afolasade Adewumi

Aderemi Suleiman Ajala

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Olukayode Michael Akinsete

Samuel Ariwoola

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Oyetayo Bankale

Ikeoluwapo Baruwa

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