By Glory Akpan

Writers, artists and historians have called for greater integration of indigenous knowledge, cultural preservation and African perspectives into urban development, technology and creative industries.

They made the call during a discussion on cultural heritage and contemporary development, highlighting the need to reclaim African historical narratives and apply traditional knowledge to present-day challenges.

The discussion took place on the sideline of the CANEX WKND2026, organised by the Afreximbank, holding from Nov. 5 to Nov. 8.

Pelumi Olatunji, a Nigerian historian and writer, urged urban planners and policymakers to incorporate indigenous architectural knowledge into modern construction to promote sustainability and healthier living environments.

Olatunji said traditional building methods offered valuable lessons on ventilation, insulation and climate-responsive construction, stressing that contemporary structures should be designed to suit local environmental conditions.

He said urban planning authorities and developers needed to embrace sustainable building practices to reduce environmental impact and improve living conditions.

Malik Afegbua, a Nigerian artist and filmmaker, emphasised the importance of collecting and preserving African historical data to address biases in Artificial Intelligence (AI) systems.

Afegbua said data from the Global South remained inadequately represented in AI training datasets, resulting in stereotypical portrayals of African people and cultures.

He called for greater investment in indigenous data collection, oral history documentation and archival infrastructure, noting that African creators must take responsibility for preserving cultural memory for future generations.

He said his initiatives included collecting oral histories and historical artefacts, as well as using technology to make cultural materials accessible to younger generations.

Abdulazeez Shomade, a Nigerian writer, advocated the integration of indigenous environmental practices into public policies and urban planning.

Shomade said traditional African societies maintained a symbiotic relationship with the environment, emphasising preservation rather than exploitation.

He urged policymakers to document indigenous environmental laws and practices and incorporate them into formal legal and governance structures.

According to him, Nigeria should study relevant international conservation models while adapting them to local realities rather than adopting them wholesale.

Taiwo Egunjobi, a filmmaker and writer, urged filmmakers to explore emerging digital distribution platforms to expand audiences and generate sustainable revenue.

Egunjobi said platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and specialised streaming services were creating new opportunities for filmmakers to monetise their productions beyond traditional distribution channels.

He cited his film, A Green Beaver, which premiered at the African International Film Festival (AFRIFF) in 2023 and continued generating revenue through airline distribution as of 2025.

He also disclosed that his 2019 film, Univano, continued to generate income through Quedi TV, stressing the importance of researching alternative distribution channels.

Egunjobi encouraged filmmakers to produce compelling African stories for digital platforms while exploring opportunities to decentralise film production and support local economies outside Lagos.

The speakers stressed the need for African societies to preserve their cultural heritage, reclaim historical narratives and integrate indigenous knowledge into contemporary development. (NAN)www.nannews.ng

Edited by Vivian Ihechu