INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY (ICT) AND THE PRESERVATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF YORUBA CULTURAL HERITAGE: OPPORTUNITIES AND CHALLENGES IN ADO-EKITI

Abstract

The general objective for this study is the information and communication technology (ICT) and the preservation and development of Yoruba cultural heritage: opportunities and challenges in Ado-Ekiti. The study was descriptive in nature, and it employed a qualitativemethod. The qualitative method was employed through the use of five in-depth interviews. The study’s findings revealed that all respondents interviewed agreed that ICT provides a significant opportunity for cultural preservation and development. Also, regarding the challenge of ICT on the development and preservation of Ekiti cultural heritage, three of the respondents interviewed agreed that it has a positive influence, while two disagreed. The study concluded that the current ICT revolution has had a wide range of positive influences on day-to-day living in Ekiti. Modern life, cultures, and society have been profoundly impacted by technologies, which have also brought about significant changes in civilisation. In view of the above, the study recommends that usingICT as an opportunity to preserve and develop Ekiti cultural heritage is a must for all socialisation agents.