Academics under the auspices of the International Society for the Oral Literatures of Africa (ISOLA) have urged the Nigerian government to prioritise the urgent digitisation of oral traditions.

Describing it as Africa’s new oil with untapped economic and cultural potential, the scholars argued that failure to document and digitise oral texts and heritage would lead to the irreversible loss of a vital part of Africa’s identity and memory.

Speaking at the 15th International Conference of ISOLA, held at Yakubu Gowon University, Abuja, President of the Society and renowned literary scholar, Prof. Akintunde Akinyemi, urged the National Universities Commission (NUC) to upgrade Oral Literature to the level of professional degree courses like medicine and engineering.

The don who spoke on the theme, “Revival and Sustainability of Oral Texts, Artefacts and Heritage Sites,” noted that African oral traditions continue to be undervalued despite their potential to contribute to national GDP, strengthen cultural identity, and drive the creative economy.

He stated that the best scholars in oral traditions have been taken out of Africa, and the government’s failure to act swiftly will be costly.

He said, “If we are not careful, our children and grandchildren will have to rely on them to go and study about our tradition and culture because we are losing it. Moreover, we are quick to take their own culture and replace it with ours. So we have to make sure that we do something about that.

“Scholars are trying in the continent of Africa, but the resources are not there and that is the main problem. The scholars are not getting the necessary financial support.

“Nigerian scholars from Ibadan and Ilorin, amongst others, have not been able to attend this conference despite being in Nigeria. They are trying their best, but the government should support the endeavour; otherwise, it will continue to fail.

“If we are not careful, we will be looking out to the west and civilised cultures for our oral traditions because they are taking the materials.”

In his keynote address, foremost oral tradition expert, Prof. Gabriel Darah, stated that if not for Nollywood, which is an aspect of Oral Literature, Nigeria would not have been as well known as it is today.

According to him, there are 506 languages still spoken in Nigeria, emphasising that it is important to always remember that the country and continent are blessed compared to others.

He warned that if the government does not recognise such an asset, then the gold mine will be diminished.

He said: “Oral Literature should be as prestigious as medicine, engineering and other highly demanding courses, noting that with this, people will pay serious attention to them, and they will not be allowed to perish.

“It is more lucrative than oil. It is the new oil. Oil and gas will perish, but culture does not perish; it renews itself any time.

“Dance and theatre arts are more lucrative if they are properly organised. What has given Nigeria publicity in the past 20-30 years is Nollywood, an oral tradition. Without Nollywood, Nigeria would probably not have been known in the world of acting.

“When Europeans see Africans dance, they marvel at what we are able to communicate with our bodies. The human body can communicate 1001 gestures without a word being uttered.

“With this, creativity has been improved, and when creativity is improved, the quality of the world is further improved.”

The two-day event had 12 countries in attendance, with a few universities from the scheduled 22 Nigerian universities.